Food with chetna

Get to know the inspiring Chetna Makan one of the greatest Indian cooks

- FATIMA SAIB

Chetna Makan is a household name - and for good reason. Ever since appearing on The Great British Bake Off in 2014, Chetna has been on a steady rise to becoming the go-to cookbook author for authentic and delicious Indian cuisine. We caught up with her to chat about her upcoming book Chetna's Easy Baking and learn more about her inspiration when it comes to cooking and baking.

How did all of this start? How did you find yourself in food?

It definitely wasn't a planned thing. I moved to a small town and because I worked in fashion, there wasn't anything in fashion that I could do here. At that time, we never had a fast train and if I wanted to continue working in fashion then I would have needed to take a 5-hour train to London and back so I just worked in a retail clothing store. I never enjoyed it as I really wanted to design. When my kids got older, there was a new cooking show on TV and my friends and I would discuss it. My friends told me to apply but I didn't think I would get through. I could bake cakes but no pastry or bread. I applied and a few days later I got the call to join The Great British Bake Off! That's when my career and life just changed.

How has it changed your life?