Firdous Jan is a resident of south Kashmir’s district Anantnag. Settled in Bangalore after her marriage, Firdous makes artisan cakes and other desserts in her own kitchen and sells them online.
Firdous Jan witnessed pain closely when she lost her father at a very young age. Not being able to cope up with the loss, Firdous suffered anxiety disorder. Things became worse after her marriage.
“I completed my secondary education in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I was compelled to continue my studies in Kashmir due to my father’s illness. I suffered severe anxiety disorder and was put on medication,” Firdous said.
“After getting married, I got settled in Bangalore. My anxiety disorder exaggerated there, and doctors advised me to divert my mind. I had always loved cooking. I found it a good way to escape from the harsh realities of life,” Firdous added.
Firdous joined culinary classes where she also learned patisserie skills. Soon she mastered both the crafts. Firdous started her own home bakery and slowly expanded her expertise over various continental and intercontinental dishes.
With thousands of followers, Firdous Jan displays her cooking and patisserie skills on her various social media accounts for which she receives a lot of appreciation. The home patisserie has been very successful with her experiments in the art.
Her signature works in cooking include Chicken Tikka, Afghan Kabab, Mughlai dishes, while in baking she is best at making Ragi bread, Zebra bread, Chocolate Popsicle and many other things. Firdous has also included some cuisines and breads from the traditional Kashmiri food menu and bakery, which are in a huge demand among her customers. Kulchas, Telvor and Tchot are some of the important Kashmiri bakery products that she has graced her menu with.
“I try out different gluten free, sugar free breads and cookies keeping in mind the ill effects of sugar and refined flour. My latest obsession is vegan and healthy flours like millet and gluten-free flour,” Firdous said.
Being a mother of a specially-abled child, Firdous organizes weekly sessions for children with special needs. Firdous teaches them cooking and baking which proves out to be therapeutic for them.
“Cooking has proved to be therapeutic for me. It’s gratifying to produce something tangible. It’s also soothing and meditative. I try to use my patisserie art in helping the children with special needs,” Firdous said.
