Hi my name is Saada. I grew up in Somalia, East Africa, with my mum and dad and three siblings – I’m the second oldest. I learned to cook with my Mum. She had her own recipes and her own way of cooking. I stayed at her side while she cooked – she needed my help and I was so interested. I would stand with her for six hours at a time. I stayed at school until I was 9 years old and then I stopped. But I wanted to carry on learning so I kept reading and teaching myself. 

Gradually I started cooking more, by the age of 12 I was cooking for the family.  

I came to the UK in 2004, first to Weston Super Mare then to Bristol. I met and married my husband that same year and had my first baby in 2005. Now I have four children! As well as cooking for my family, I cook at lunch clubs and organise celebrations and events for older people, for women, in schools and for young people. Always bringing people together through food.

I like teaching – seeing people concentrate. When you cook, you use different muscles and hold yourself differently, it brings out the best in people. The way I make samosas is second nature to me. I’ve learned my techniques over a lifetime, and I am very happy to share them with you!