Our Grandmother’s Recipes: More Than Just Food

Whether it is a traditional dish close to your ethnic roots, or a delightful home-made take on your favourite fast food, we all recognize that a grandmother's affection is best expressed through her culinary creations.

More than the recipe itself, a grandmother’s home-cooked meal has an entire set of nostalgic, loving emotions tied to it, which cannot be replicated anywhere else.

Pakistani grandmothers are renowned for their fantastic cooking, - an ability they seem to be born with - something every Pakistani grandchild will swear by. What sets a Pakistani grandmother apart from the rest of the world’s culinary expertise.

Mrs Azra Syed held a prominent place in Pakistan’s culinary history, becoming one of the first chefs in Pakistan who learnt to cook foods from all over the world as well as successfully preserving and passing on her pre-partition recipes from her mother after she settled in Karachi, Pakistan.

With appearances on various platforms and on television channels such as ARY Zauq and was featured in many publications including DAWN and The News, Azra Syed set many culinary trends in Pakistan in her time.

Azra had an illustrious career full of awards and plaques of recognition. She had earned national acclaim and been invited as a judge and demonstrator on shows and for several clubs such as the Karachi Gymkhana, Memon Foundation Club and the Horticulture Club.

Azra always listened to her students’ requests and strived to create easy and simple recipes, and continued to give cooking classes till she was able, thus securing her a place as a caretaker of genuine Pakistani cuisine.

Over the years Azra had taught and inspired a generation of young chefs such as Naheed Ansari, Sarah Riaz and Shirin Anwar, thus ensuring that the culinary heritage of Pakistan is not forgotten.

More than just a skilled chef, Azra touched the lives of those around her with grace and the beauty of life.