Great British Bake Off favourite Nadiya Hussain talks Luton baking roots and being British

Great British Bake Off contestant Nadiya Hussain has revealed her love of baking comes from an inspiring teacher in her hometown of Luton.

The mother of three explained how her love of baking can be traced back to her time at Challney High School in Luton when she was just 12-years-old.

Nadiya, 30, credited on teacher in particular, Mrs Marshall, who encouraged her interest in baking and would let her help prepare baking classes.

In an interview with Radio Times she said: ‘I had to make puff pastry in my first class. I remember my teacher Mrs Marshall saying I was really good.

“I got so into it that when Mrs Marshall used to prepare for her next class at lunchtime I would sneak in and watch her. She never minded. Eventually she said I could give her a hand. Over four years I got quite good.

“I love making British classics, things that Mrs Marshall taught me. I wonder if she has been watching Bake Off, because she was definitely the person who inspired me.”

Nadiya is now one of the remaining bakers in the Bake Off tent as the show heads into the final weeks. She has been one of the judges’ favourites in five out of eight weeks of Bake Off and has won star baker twice.

The full-time mum also said that wearing a headscarf doesn’t make her any less British and explained: “Originally, I was a bit nervous that perhaps people would look at me, a Muslim in a headscarf, and wonder if I could bake.

“But I hope that week by week people have realised that I can bake – and just because I’m not a stereotypical British person, it doesn’t mean that I am not into bunting, tea and cake.”

While her Bangladeshi background didn’t usually feature deserts, that hasn’t stopped Nadiya whipping up show-stopping treats, with flavours occasionally inspired by her culture.

She added: “I’m just as British as anyone else, and I hope I have proved that. I think the show is a fantastic representation of British society today.

“The feedback I have had reveals how accepting people are of different cultures and religions. Now people know who I am, I can see how tolerant and accepting British society is.”

Nadiya returns to the Bake Off tent this week alongside remaining contestants Tamal Ray, Ian Cumming and Flora Shedden.