A business that survived 2021
From cake bakers to caterers, Saa Nasta brought you stories of Bangladeshi food and culture this year. We’re highlighting some of the big stories of the year. Also in this edition, look out for a chance to add your suggestion to the Anti-Gentrifiers' Detroit Dining Guide Nominations, perhaps with a batch of milk chocolate chip cookies from the recipe included. Thanks for being here… and don’t forget to follow us @thesaanasta.
Nazmun Nahar says art is her escape
Nazmun Nahar is a Bangladeshi cake artist. She was born in Warren, Michigan, and grew up in Detroit. Later she attended the University of Michigan without knowing exactly what she wanted to study.
Nahar says she’s a person who enjoys doing what she enjoys. She earned a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience.
Then she opened her online business on Instagram @brownsugar_nazu, named after her nickname Nazu, in October 2018.
“I fell in love with doing my own thing doing art, and creative things,” she says.
Nahar says she originally started by creating desserts for one event and now decorates at least 5-6 wedding cakes per month, and 60-70 event cakes per year.
“Cakes incorporate so much about art…from piping, fondant, clay forming molding, creating colors designs and textures. I was so intrigued,” she says.
She says at the first it was learning the craft, and realizing baking is a delicate process and equation between temperature, process and creating.
She says she’s not a baker, but rather an artist.
“Even with creating petals for flowers. I have been doing that more with fondant. .. getting to a realistic as possible. Something about it and creating something to be almost perfect. Is really rewarding.”
Nahar is the third of four kids in her family.
She says growing up in a South Asian home her parents encouraged focusing on school.
“When I was younger my parents wanted me to focus on my studies more than art and excel in school, and now are 100 percent behind my creative oulets and business because they know it’s what I want to do and support my craft. I did do well in school, but also never gave up on the craft and now it’s a side business (@browngirl_nazu) for me while I also work full-time,” she says.
She says she looks forward to creating more things in the future using her artistic abilities.
“I am grateful to create and to be able to create for people,” she says.
Submit nominations to the anti-gentrifiers guide
Tostada Magazine and Bridge Magazine partnered up to bring you the Anti-Gentrifiers’ Guide to Dining in Detroit, around Metro Detroit. Tostada Magazine and Bridge Detroit are looking for nominations of individuals or restaurants who exemplify and embody community, culture, innovation and making change to include in the guide.
Nominations are being accepted now through Jan. 14, 2022. Once nominations are collected, members of Tostada Magazine and BridgeDetroit’s editorial team will consider all semi-finalists and vet their qualifications. The dining guide will be published in early 2022.
Here are the categories for your consideration:
Community: We are interested in honoring restaurants and individuals who use their platforms to promote community empowerment and wellness.
Culture: We place value on restaurants and individuals who use food to preserve culture and combat the erasure of Black, Latino, immigrant, and indigenous experiences.
Innovation: We recognize that the restaurant industry is experiencing a reckoning with regard to sustainability, respect and dignity in the workplace, and safety among employees and diners and want to honor those who are making strides in these areas.
Game Changer: We want to honor those restaurants or individuals that embody all of these values in their everyday work.
Make a batch of holiday cookies
Nabeela Ahmed, owner of Zayan’s Dessertz shared this recipe with Saa Nasta Newsletter for milk chocolate chip cookies. Enjoy for yourself or share with friends, family, neighbors for the holiday season.