Less than a year after winning the Great British Bake Off, life for Nadiya Hussain couldn't be more different. She's written a cook book, is a regular panellist on ITV's Loose Women and has even landed her own TV show – The Chronicles of Nadiya.
But perhaps one of the biggest achievements for the 31-year-old was being asked to bake a cake for The Queen's 90th birthday in April. Viewers of GBBO will remember mum-of-three Nadiya for her endearing shyness and hilarious facial expressions, but she was determined to enjoy the process of baking for royalty.
Speaking exclusively to HELLO! Online, Nadiya explained: "It was quite daunting at first but I took it in my stride. I didn't want my nerves to take away from the enjoyment of the honour I had been given."
Nadiya will soon release a cook book and star in her own TV show
Understandably Nadiya, who is married to Abdul Hussain, wanted to make sure Her Majesty's cake was perfect. She continued: "I decided on the designs weeks before but only had the final design just a few days before presenting it, and it took three days to make."
As well as the Queen, Nadiya had the entire British public watching when she presented the final product – leaving her feeling more nervous than ever!
"The Queen is the only person who has got me slightly tongue tied," Nadiya revealed. "I didn't think I would be, but I was so nervous I'd get everything wrong."
She recently teamed up with Champneys Spa Hotel to create a new afternoon tea
Along with all of her other commitments, Nadiya recently teamed up with Champneys Spa Hotel to create a special afternoon tea dessert. She's known for her complex and decadent cakes and pastries, which won over Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood time and time again, but Nadiya was forced to make some sacrifices to be in keeping with the healthy clientele at Champneys.
READ: NADIYA HUSSAIN TALKS TO HELLO! MAGAZINE ABOUT LIFE AFTER GBBO
Discussing the menu, Nadiya continued: "Being a baker, I tend not to make cutbacks where calories are concerned. So I really had to think about how to adapt my recipe to make it lighter and slightly healthier.
I went for seasonal fruit as well as herbs to create the recipe and tried to stick to what Champneys is all about."
With her ever-growing work commitments, marriage and three children, it's no surprise that Nadiya doesn't get much down time. "I've only ever had afternoon tea once in my life and I have never been to a spa!" She confessed. "So maybe one of these days I can do just that."
READ: STACEY SOLOMON TALKS JOE SWASH ROMANCE WITH HELLO! ONLINE AT CHAMPNEYS SPA HOTEL
And, although the Queen is definitely up there on the list of her desired clientele, there is one person who Nadiya would love to bake for.
"David Attenborough," she revealed. He is a legend, not just in my eyes but also my kids and my dad, too."
