“My mum, nan and aunts are my biggest cooking influences."
Bolton-based Zenub narrowly missed out on the next stage of MasterChef 2026 after her high-risk dessert failed to land under pressure.
The technology consultant competed in heat seven, the final regular heat of the series.
Known for combining British and Pakistani influences in her cooking, Zenub said:#
“My cooking style reflects my identity – I’m British-Pakistani, so you’ll find a lot of that reflected in my food.
“My dad cooked many European dishes, such as fresh bread on weekends, lemon cake, French-style salads, and lots of pasta.
“My mum’s style of cooking is deeply rooted in Pakistani culture and we enjoy a lot of hearty, fragrant delicious meals.”
Zenub’s passion for cooking began early, shaped by family traditions and regular visits to Pakistan. Her culinary influences also came from relatives and seasonal cooking practices on the family farm.
“My mum, nan and aunts are my biggest cooking influences.
“My mum grew up on a farm, and our annual holiday visits to the farm in Pakistan instilled in me a love for fresh seasonal cooking.
“Everything was made from scratch; the wheat from the farm was used to make fresh bread in the tandoor oven in our garden, and the milk from our buffaloes was used to make butter and yoghurt.
“My nan and aunts only used what was in season, and we all loved that farm-to-table approach.
“Even now, although no one lives at the farm anymore, when I visit them, they still recreate that taste of home.”
In the MasterChef kitchen, Zenub leaned into ambitious, flavour-led dishes throughout her heat, culminating in a technically demanding dessert for the final round.
Her kunafa featured kataifi pastry, cream and cheese filling, cardamom and rose water syrup, pistachio crunch, and saffron and pistachio ice cream.
While the concept impressed judges, execution proved challenging under time pressure.
The pastry was not fully soaked in syrup and the ice cream was described as overpowering in saffron, affecting balance and texture.
Judge Anna Haugh praised Zenub’s “bold, confident flavours” throughout the competition, but said her final dessert required greater precision in the kitchen.
The judges added that Zenub had brought “huge personality and flavour” to the heat, but noted difficult decisions had to be made.
They ultimately had to “be very picky” when choosing between four strong contestants, with desserts failing to fully meet expectations despite creativity and potential.
As a result, Zenub was eliminated at the end of the episode, narrowly missing out on a place in the next stage of the competition.
On why she entered MasterChef, Zenub said:
“This opportunity has allowed me to explore my creativity and step outside my comfort zone!”
“As a long-time fan, watching MasterChef has been one of my favourite pastimes, so the chance to contribute to a show I’ve followed for years has been an incredible and surreal experience.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to build a future in food:
“I’m a creative person and would love to share my recipes online.
“I’d also love to open a Pakistani-inspired coffee shop serving small plates.”
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