Welcome to our “Get to Know” series! Each Tuesday (for the next year), we’re going to introduce you to a creator in the wellness space that we think you NEED to know. The creators we feature are of various backgrounds. Whether they’re an online content creator, coach, or owner of a product-based brand, they each have their own niche in the wellness world and contribute to the space, as a whole, in an incredibly meaningful way. We’re setting this up Q&A-style so that you can learn more about each creator’s why, the content that they’re most proud of, and exactly how you can be a part of and contribute to their journey. We hope you enjoy our conversations with these wonderful people and brands. We know they’re going to enrich your lives!
This week, we’re interviewing Fatima Ali of Pots ‘n Curries. Fatima says, “I write to understand and explore the evolution of Pakistani food. I want to preserve the recipes of our elders – something that is lost over the years. In my writings you will read about origins of our dishes, why they are named the way they are, and how we inherited different tastes and cooking techniques from Mughals, Mongols, Arabs and Turks.” Follow along as we learn more about Fatima:
Why did you start your business?
Fatima: So, I didn’t start this as a business. Since early age, I have been passionate about cooking and baking. A few years ago, a friend encouraged me to start writing on her food blogging website. It was a great experience and I learned so much. Since then I am writing food blogs to promote Pakistani cuisine. My website came much later. Recently, I realized that if you want to promote a cuisine, you must increase the exposure. This was the driving force behind me taking it to the next level. I do it part-time and I am very much invested in the opportunities that it brings.
What’s your mission/purpose statement?
Fatima: I want the world to know what Pakistani cuisine is. Our cuisine is our culture and it is so rich that sometimes even we forget about it. When I write about a particular dish, I do research and that increases my knowledge. There are cooking techniques and dishes in Pakistan that not many people have heard about and then there are those that are classics and most favorite. There are special recipes that have been passed down generations but there are also those that have been forgotten over the years. I want to bring to light the latent wonders of Pakistani cuisine for the world to see. I am trying to do my bit and I love it when I see some other people working in the same space promoting Pakistani cuisine. There are not many but you got to start somewhere.
What 2 (or 3!) pieces of content are you the proudest of?
Fatima: Borani Banjan, Kabuli Pulao, and Apple Tart
Where are you going next? What’s your goal for the next year?
Fatima: There are a number of things in the pipeline and some still in the design phase.
I am planning on starting on Cooking class. I will try to help beginners in learning the basics and in understating flavors. I would also like to focus on menu preparations and fusion of different recipes.
I bake for the farmers market for my local community at Fredonia and hoping to continue doing the same for this year. It is a great way to engage with the local community.
How can we (and the Fed and Fit community) best support you?
Fatima: I will be launching my cooking course and classes soon. You can subscribe to my newsletter to learn more about Pakistani food and my future endeavors. I regularly post on Instagram (@potsncurries) and on my newly developed website. Thank you for your support and for giving me this opportunity.
