TV show cook’s book dream
DREAM TO PUBLISH BOOK AND WORK IN TELEVISION
MADEEHA Qureshi wowed judges on the BBC’s Masterchef in April, reaching the final five in the competition.
But for the Hinckley chef, life after the show has not been a recipe for success.
While Madeeha, 39, gained a loyal following who loved her wide-ranging dishes inspired by her Saudi Arabian upbringing, getting to the next step of her career she says has been “an uphill struggle”.
Not only did she move across the country to her new home in Hinckley during the competition, but then there is also the Covid-19 upheaval.
She said: “It has been an uphill struggle, and a very steep one, to say the least.
“The hospitality industry has been hit very badly due to the pandemic and opportunities for newcomers like myself are very scarce.
“But I am trying my best to set my foot in the TV industry. That’s all I can do, keep trying.
“My husband and my mum are very proud of what I have achieved in the current circumstances with three very young kids and a house move from one part of the country to another, all during the making of the show and Covid lockdowns.”
Madeeha said it has been “an honour” to have gained such a following during the competition.
“It’s been a pleasure to be part of a show that is known internationally,” she said.
“People from all walks of life start to recognise you once you are on the programme and I have been lucky enough that the audience has been relating to me ever since the show went live. They want to see more of me and my food on TV.
“Even on MasterChef UK’s Facebook page, my short clips have been viewed well over a million times.
“Not even the short clip for the final got anywhere near it. So it is a huge honour to be loved that much by the audience. I love the concept of taking the British nation on a culinary journey to places that we don’t often try to cook, such as Saudi Arabian, Yemeni, central Asian, Indonesian and authentic Pakistani dishes made easy.
“I am absolutely serious to do a travelogue or cooking show where I can showcase these dishes in the most simplified way.
Madeeha is writing a cookbook in which she hopes to tell the personal stories of her cultural and culinary history.
“It is very close to my heart. I have put my heart and soul into writing it,” she said.
“This book is the essence of my life and I am looking out for an established publisher or literary agent to take this cookbook.
“I still get recipe book requests in the hundreds almost every day and I am as eager as my audience and followers to bring this book out.
“It is far more than just a cookbook.
“It tells the stories that present a rich and very personal account of the history, culture and creation behind the recipes.
“It’s written with passion and love of food.
“I am working with a couple of production companies and doing food festivals up and down the country.
“I would love to showcase relatively unknown, beautiful food cultures and history to a wider audience.”