MasterChef’s Moonira looks forward to cooking for family & friends

MasterChef contestant Moonira Hinglotwala is looking forward to cooking for people and entertaining family and friends again once restrictions ease.

Moonira, who impressed the judges with her cooking skills on MasterChef in 2018, said Ramadan and Eid have been very different during the pandemic – and admits she’s looking forward to larger family gatherings when they’re allowed.

The mum-of-three from Blackburn said:

I do love cooking. I’ve always have done – even before MasterChef. I’m always entertaining and before lockdown I was always having people around, cooking for them.

Moonira is among the local people being featured in Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Picture This campaign talking about the things they miss due to Coronavirus. She is helping to share the message that if we all continue to follow the rules to control the spread of the virus, we can get back to doing the things we love quicker.

With Eid just a few weeks away, Moonira said it was tough not being able to celebrate Eid last year in the usual way.

She said:

Eid is all about lots of good food, family, friends, and just having a fun day. Normally we’d invite other families round or we’d either go to theirs to break the fast.

I’d like my daughter Hannah, who recently turned one, to experience what Eid actually looks like. At the moment, it has only been the five of us in the house and I’d really like to change that when we’re allowed.

Moonira, who is a pharmacist and also runs a private dining business, said Covid-19 has seen the pharmacy get very busy, yet all her fine dining bookings have been postponed indefinitely.

When the doctors closed, the pharmacies became very busy overnight. We became the friendly face where they could come in and have a chat or tell us their problems.

The new mum has spent lockdown on maternity leave – and said it has been difficult dealing with a new baby while her husband – also a pharmacist – is working harder than ever and she is unable to see her family of friends.

She said:

I had a baby two weeks before lockdown. It was initially very tough because friends and family – like my sisters and my mum who all live locally – couldn’t come to visit and I was alone at home with a baby.

We are using Zoom and Facetime so she can see grandparents and her aunties – but the physical interaction isn’t there.

With my other two children I went to baby groups and met lots of other mums – but it just wasn’t possible this time around. It will be nice once the lockdown is over to be able to take her to places like the zoo and the beach.

Please remember to follow the rules to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, so we can all get back to doing the things we love:

• Wash your hands regularly
• Wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces
• Keep a 2m distance from anyone you don’t live with
• Meet outdoors in groups of up to six or two households
• Get tested regular – free rapid testing is now available to everyone.