Interview: Sumayya Usmani

Sumayya Usmani is a chef, award winning author and TV and radio host. Sumayya is a wonderful woman who we met years ago online. Her talent in bringing food from Pakistan to the nation is very welcome. Sumayya has the grace of Audrey Hepburn and the talent of Madhur Jaffrey. Without further ado, here is our interview with Sumayya.

BeautyTies: Hello Sumayya, thank you so much for joining us today. thank you so much for joining us today. Your website says you are an Author, Food Writer, Cook. You also teach others in your cooking classes. Wow! That’s amazing

Sumayya: Thank you, that is very kind x

BeautyTies : So how did you start cooking? What age were you?

Sumayya: I was always surrounded by the women of my family who all loved cooking. I helped a little in the kitchen, I watched with wonder but I never really cooked until I was much older. When I was in my late teens I began making desserts, chapattis, and then slowly as I grew up, my interest in cooking grew.

BeautyTies: You speak about your love of Pakistan. What are your memories of there? We haven’t been, but your photographs of the place are stunning.

Sumayya: Thank you - Pakistan is a very diverse country, with natural beauty and friendly people. My greatest memory of Pakistan is always surrounding it’s cuisine, the love for eating, feeding and cooking. It is an all-encompassing experience - Pakistani’s love food, it is their greatest entertainment and the best way they show their hospitality. My memories of street food, eating with family and friends and spending time in bazaars shopping for ingredients, or fabric and glass bangles, are some of my best.

Beautiful photographs from Pakistan

BeautyTies: What would you say has been your greatest achievement so far in life?

Sumayya: Being able to get a cookbook on my cuisine published. This was not easy, I had to take a giant leap of faith and leave a legal career to follow my passion for writing and sharing the flavours of my homeland.

Some of Sumayya's amazing cookery books

BeautyTies; What has been the most challenging thing in your line of work?

Sumayya: One of the main challenges is the lack of a guaranteed pay cheque each month. But if you do what you love, you find a way to get through.

BeautyTies: Do you have any advice for our BeauTies who have aspirations of their own?

Sumayya: Never stop believing you can achieve your dreams. If you follow what you are passionate about, you will find success, happiness and security. Work shouldn’t feel like work, your aspirations should keep you up at night, the excitement should give you the courage to achieve what you dream of.

Sumayya Usmani having the honour of meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in London

BeautyTies: Do you have a favourite dish to make?

Sumayya: Aubergine borani - a layered dish of whipped yoghurt, lightly fried slices of aubergines and tomatoes softened in ghee with cumin.

BeautyTies; If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Sumayya:

1 - That my grandmothers were still here to teach me more

2- That my cat Chino will never die.

3 - That my parent’s stay well and live a long life.

Sumayya with her beautiful daughter

BeautyTies; What can’t you leave the house without?

Sumayya: My wallet and mascara on my eyelashes!

BeautyTies; What is your beauty routine like? You look flawless!

Sumayya: Why thank you - I believe in cleaning, toning and moisturising regularly. Also always taking time to use natural ingredients on my skin and I try my best to drink lots of water (which is really hard for me!).

BeautyTies: What does it feel like to have accomplished so much?

Sumayya: That there is still so much more to achieve

Sumayya with Madhur Jaffrey

Sumayya in one of her cookery classes

Sumayya giving a cooking demonstration in Borough market.

Fresh plum, pomegranate & Venison Biryani.

Moong lentil cauliflower Pakoras

BeautyTies: What are your plans for the Future?

Sumayya: I am currently working on a narrative non-fiction book, its filled with memories and food!

BeautyTies: Who inspires you?

Sumayya: Anyone who works hard for their dreams.

BeautyTies: If you could cook for anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why and What would you make them?

Sumayya: Audrey Hepburn - she has always been my idol. She was a beautiful woman and a humanitarian - she may be gone but will never be forgotten I would love to have had the opportunity to cook for her, I’d have made her a classic Pakistani biryani.

BeautyTies: What are your favourite beauty products?

Sumayya: For my face I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream and Treat Tincture by Decree.

For body I love Elemis Monoi Body Oil and Kiehl’s Creme de Corps

I also use a pure organic cold pressed Hunza apricot oil for my face and body from Northern Pakistan, and I make my own scrubs with kitchen cupboard essentials.

BeautyTies: What music are you listening to at the moment ?

Sumayya: Mostly classical music, it helps me write. But when I am not writing I listen to First Aid Kit and Stevie Nicks.