Mahfuza Anika

I have always been passionate about baked goodness—not just enjoying them, but truly understanding the craft behind them. Exploring different sweet treats from around the world has always been exciting, but finding halal options has often been a challenge. That’s what inspired my love for baking—I wanted to create delicious desserts that everyone could enjoy, without restrictions.During the pandemic lockdown back home in Bangladesh, I decided to turn this passion into a business. It started small—baking from home, taking orders myself and delivering through logistic company—but it quickly became a success. I would stay up all night baking, making sure every order was just right, and the love and support from my community encouraged me to keep going. Now that I’ve moved to London, I want to start my business again, but balancing it with my schedule has been difficult. However, I see this as a great opportunity to share my food and recipes in a new way.One of the things I love most about baking is teaching. Sharing my recipes and making the process simple brings me so much joy. Cooking shouldn’t feel stressful—it should be fun, accessible, and adaptable. I see a gap in the halal food industry, and I want to help bridge it by offering easy, stress-free recipes that give people the confidence to bake at home.My approach is all about simplicity. There’s no need for perfection—we’re not on MasterChef! Home baking is about creating something enjoyable without worrying about fancy techniques or expensive ingredients. I always encourage people to experiment and use alternative ingredients so they can bake with ease, even if they’re trying a recipe for the first time.I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I’ve learnt through experience, trial, and error. Over the past two to three years, I’ve developed and tested easy yet delicious recipes, and the positive feedback I’ve received has been incredibly rewarding. The support from my community has been overwhelming and has motivated me to keep going, improve, and share even more.Although I don’t have formal qualifications, my knowledge comes from hands-on experience. I’ve spent the last few years immersed in baking, informally teaching my friends and cousins. While I haven’t held official classes yet, I’d love to explore that in the future.I haven’t been featured in magazines or won awards, but what matters most to me is the genuine appreciation of those who enjoy my desserts. That connection is what drives my passion, and I look forward to continuing this journey, sharing my skills, and making halal baking more accessible to everyone.