Text: TAYLA BLAIRE. Photos: PETER WHITFIELD. Just the beginning Shared recipes – and food – are at the heart of many happy family memories for Naqiyah Mayat … and she gives us a taste of them in her new cookbook 12 Get It <strong>Joburg</strong> <strong>North</strong>ern Suburbs <strong>April</strong> 20
Frequently compared to Nigella Lawson, Naqiyah Mayat is a self-made food personality who’s just released her debut cookbook, The Beginning: Indian Recipes from my Home, currently on sale in bookstores. How did she do it? ‘I started sharing my recipes as one of the first food bloggers on Food24 more than 11 years ago,’ Naqiyah says. ‘My posts were a combination of what I cooked for dinner and work lunches. I later moved on to sharing recipes on my own website and on Instagram. It was a slow and steady process. I learned how to take better images, listened to what my readers appreciated and valued from what I shared, and translated this into a community of people who looked at what I shared for direction.’ It goes back even further. ‘As with any cook, in their childhood memory lies a kitchen, a simmering pot and at the stove, a mum. This book is rooted in pride and dedicated to my mother, who has served as my treasure trove of culinary instruction. I knew I From the start, I wanted to publish a book that harnessed the power of my food memories wanted to compile and write a cookbook when I realised I would like to take my food memories and turn them into the inspiration for my culinary journey. I wanted to share the recipes I grew up with, allowing my readers a peek into my life.’ Family has always been at the core of Naqiyah’s cooking interests, and this was strengthened when she got married. ‘When I was growing up, my mum used powdered masala, but since I married into a Muslim family, I’ve had to learn about other spices like freshly ground wet masala. I was young when I got married and for my marriage, I had to adapt what I’d learned from watching my mum. I had to find common ground, and this became the ‘Naqiyah way’. It might not be your chicken curry, or my chicken curry, but now it’s our chicken curry – it’s a place we choose to meet in the middle.’ The Naqiyah way thus invites readers to add their cooking ideas into the mix when trying out her recipes, allowing inspiration to take the lead in producing food that’s made with love. ‘My relationship with, and connection to my husband, is largely centred around food and it helps us communicate in so many different ways. While our marriage has resulted in some incredible food, it’s also produced four very curious children, all with a voracious appetite for life. I’ve learnt about food through what excites them and allowed them an opportunity to taste and experience all types of food, so they now have a positive relationship towards it. I’m inspired by my food memories. For me, food has a magical way to Make sure to get your hands on a copy of Naqiyah’s new cookbook, The Beginning: Indian Recipes from my Home … we were lucky enough to try her bhajia paired with masala tea (pictured on cover). Mmm, what a treat! Find this recipe as well as a few other delicious meals with lamb kebabs that are perfect for family visits on getitmagazine.co.za/ joburg-north. connect and unify us. It’s the invisible thread that connects us all,’ Naqiyah says. ‘From the start, I wanted to publish a book that harnessed the power of my food memories – from growing up, to the new discoveries made when I got married, and later the shared experiences I had from cooking for my children. Along this journey, I’ve amassed an incredible amount of knowledge about food. I want my children to remember me for the contributions I’ve made towards this purpose. It’s a modest legacy, one which won’t necessarily change the world, but will be remembered by those who’ve been on this journey with me. The Beginning tells a story of my community, of family, friends, online supporters and mentors who’ve helped encourage me to become the person I was destined to be.’ It’s clear that support means everything to Naqiyah, an attitude she perpetuates in her social media interactions. ‘The best thing women can do for each other is to honour individuality and intuition by appreciating, not judging, each other’s choices. I want to change the narrative of how women talk to each other.’ This <strong>April</strong>, Naqiyah is heading to Dubai to launch her book to an international market. There are also developments already in place for two additional cookbooks which will delve further into her cooking style. It’s clear that her book is aptly titled. For Naqiyah, this is, indeed, only The Beginning. Follow Naqiyah’s journey on Instagram @naqiyah_mayat. <strong>April</strong> 20 Get It <strong>Joburg</strong> <strong>North</strong>ern Suburbs 13
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