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I’m a chef, chef trainer, and all-around food enthusiast. Cooking is my passion, profession, and favorite pastime.
After an exciting chapter working in the UAE, I’ve returned to my Bangladeshi roots and now enjoy the peaceful countryside life with my three cats—Max, Miku, and Lalu.
Through this blog, I’m sharing my cooking knowledge, the rich traditions of Bangladeshi cuisine, and stories from my culinary journey.
When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m gardening, traveling, or reading about food history. Oh, and foggy mornings or cloudy beach walks? Absolute perfection!
When I travel, I find myself drawn to the heart of each place: its food.
Whether it’s sampling street food in a bustling city, sitting down for a family-style meal in a cozy restaurant, or visiting a local farm, each experience teaches me something new about flavors, techniques, and the role that food plays in connecting people.
Travel is my way of discovering the world through taste, and every trip inspires me to bring a little bit of that place back to my own kitchen.
I remember wandering through a market in my country, overwhelmed by the aromas of spices and the vibrant colors of fresh produce. These experiences open my mind to endless possibilities and inspire me to create dishes that tell a story.
Back home, my connection to food takes a different form through farming. There’s a special kind of magic in seeing ingredients grow from seed to harvest.
Farming connects me to the rhythm of nature—the changing of seasons, the patience required to nurture plants, and the satisfaction of growing my own ingredients.
It’s more than just tending to a garden; it’s about understanding where my food comes from and respecting the process that brings it to the table.
When I step into my garden, it’s as if I’m stepping into a living pantry, where each plant, herb, and vegetable has its own character, waiting to be woven into a meal.
This connection grounds me and gives my cooking an authenticity that can only come from working with ingredients you’ve nurtured yourself.
After all these years, I find myself wanting to take a pause—to step back from the routine and savor the stories tied to every meal. Cooking, for me, isn’t just a series of steps to be completed; it’s a deeply personal ritual, a bridge to memories, people, and moments that make life beautiful. When I cook, I reconnect with old memories, reliving the warmth of familiar dishes and the comfort of familiar flavors. At the same time, I create new bonds, inviting others into my world of flavors and textures.
I believe that every meal has a tale to tell. The aroma of a dish can transport us back in time, while the taste of something new can spark a curiosity that drives us forward. Sometimes, I feel that food is a conversation between the past and the present, between who we were and who we’re becoming. Through each meal, I’m not just filling a plate; I’m continuing a tradition, celebrating a culture, or connecting with someone across a table.
After years of cooking, I feel the need to take a moment and reflect on my journey. I want to revisit the recipes that have shaped me, examine the stories woven into every ingredient, and deepen my relationship with my kitchen. I want to improve my connection to food and cooking, not just as a skill, but as a way of life. This journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about mastering a recipe or perfecting a dish. It’s about finding meaning in the ordinary, and perhaps inspiring others to do the same in their own kitchens.
Cooking is, and always will be, a bridge for me—a way to connect, to explore, and to share. Through my travels, my time spent in the garden, my love of reading, and my joy in teaching, I’ve come to see that food is much more than what’s on the plate. It’s a reflection of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. And as I continue on this journey, I hope to keep finding new stories, new memories, and new connections, one meal at a time.
I’d love to connect with you!
Follow me on Instagram at @witha.mayaz to see more of my cooking adventures, countryside living, and behind-the-scenes fun.
Let’s share the joy of cooking together!
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