Month: December 2024

On filming day, I arrived on set at 7:00 am, I had asked for help with unloading my boxes, and the lovely Matt kindly assisted me from the car to the film set. As soon as we arrived, Sophie from production welcomed me, explained what would happen next, and kept checking in to make sure I was okay.

My day started with recording a short solo segment in a hut, and from there, it was nonstop action. Everything was filmed in real-time, so there wasn’t much room for error. We were told to bring every single item we would need, but of course, I forgot my favourite knife! Thankfully, the team arranged for a replacement, they were incredible.

Despite a few small hiccups, like burning a napkin because I wasn’t used to an electric burner, everything else went smoothly. The other contestants were absolutely amazing, I can’t believe how quickly we all bonded and got on! We have kept in touch, and honestly, I think we all deserved to win, but, as we know, only one winner could be chosen.

If you are curious about the other contestants, you can check them out here: adventures in print, dottie and olive and cakes by francesca

The recipes I created for the show are now available on my website, and if you’d like to re-watch the episode you can watch it here

I’m a member of Pedddle, which is a directory of markets and their stallholders across the UK. They support small businesses and help individuals discover events and stallholders.

One day, I saw a post in their forum looking for contestants for Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas. On a whim, I messaged back, mentioning that I make organic tea gifts. They suggested I contact the production company directly, which I did.

In my email, I initially asked if I could enter the gifting category, the production team then suggested the Christmas hamper competition, given my experience with crafting. I explained that I’ve been crafting my whole life, and I shared ideas about what I could make and where my inspiration comes from. At that point, I had no expectations, I didn’t even know if I would be selected!

They asked me to send some design ideas and a sample of my work, which I did. Then came the waiting game, which didn’t last long. Soon, I was asked to keep specific filming dates free, just in case I was selected. When I found out I’d been selected, I was overcome with emotion, competing on a show I watch every year was beyond my wildest dreams.

Once selected, it was all systems go! Preparing for the show completely overtook my life. I informed my workplace about the filming so they’d be aware of my absence. It was tough not being able to share the news publicly, but I understood why.

The production team arranged my accommodation and transport. The drive to Ayr in Scotland took about five or six hours, but it was totally worth it.

Look out for my next blog, where I will share more about the filming process!

If you would like to watch the episode, you can watch me on Channel 4 demand here

I am still taking orders, however I can no longer guarantee delivery before Christmas, thank you for your understanding!

Shop Divine Teas here and follow us on social media:

Instagram – divinetea_uk

TikTok –  divineteas_

Last week, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas aired on Channel 4 and since then, so much has happened!

Many of my friends and family sweetly said I should have won. It makes me smile because, honestly, every contestant’s family probably said the same. The reality is, we were all winners in our own way, but, of course, only one could be chosen, and that’s life.

Some unexpected surprises came out of this experience. Many people have encouraged me to do more work in TV, saying I seemed calm and composed, little did they know it was pure nerves!

I was also thrilled by the overwhelming response to my dates recipe. I’ve always loved it, but the tremendous feedback motivated me to get the recipe online as quickly as possible, which you can find here

And to top it off, I even ended up featured in the Birmingham Mail, which was a lovely surprise!

Balancing my small business with my day job at the Helena Kennedy Foundation has been a lot, but this experience has really made me reflect on how to grow my business. I’ve been brainstorming ideas for the future of Divine Teas and I’ve absolutely loved doing the Christmas markets this season, meeting people and educating them on my products.

When people realised I’d been on the show, their enthusiasm was so uplifting, especially when some admitted they have never heard of Kirstie’s Handmade.

If you would like to watch the episode, you can watch me on Channel 4 demand here

I am still taking orders, however I can no longer guarantee delivery before Christmas, thank you for your understanding!

Shop Divine Teas here and follow us on social media:

Instagram – divinetea_uk

TikTok –  divineteas_

I am delighted to share the recipes I crafted on Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, I love experimenting with food and I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when they are eating my food. Food presentation is also very important to me, so within the below recipes I have included some instructions for how these recipes can be presented.

These recipes were inspired by my travels and also my good friend Mohini from Adventures with Food.

Stuffed dates

Ingredients needed:

• Icing sugar
• Saffron
• Cardamom medjoul dates 10 dates, these can be purchased online at Willowbrook Farm
• Almonds
• Mascarpone cheese 1 pack

For presentation

• Pomegranate
• Real Roses
• Dry roses
• Crushed Pistachio almonds walnuts nuts for layers

Method:

Stuffed dates Gather all ingredients: dates, almonds, mascarpone cheese, saffron, icing sugar, crushed cardamom, and pistachios. Set aside tools: a mixing bowl, spoon, and knife.

Soak the almonds in hot water In a bowl, mix the mascarpone cheese with saffron, a pinch of crushed cardamom, and 1-2 teaspoons of icing sugar. Stir until well combined and creamy.

Slice the dates lengthwise to remove the pits, creating an opening for the filling.  Seeds can be removed to save time

Using a spoon, carefully stuff each date with the saffron-flavoured mascarpone mixture. Fill generously but without overstuffing.

Insert the almonds into the paste Finely chop the pistachios and sprinkle them on top of the stuffed dates for decoration.

Arrange the stuffed dates on a serving plate. Optionally, refrigerate for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavours to set.

On Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas I displayed the dates in a glass box with roses and on a bed of nuts. The box was embellished with a Mughal inspired design.

Medjoul dates can also be used to make a warming Turmeric Latte, find the recipe here

Cranberry and onion bhajees

Ingredients needed:

• Gram flour 500g
• Seasoning: Salt, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chilli flakes
• Cranberries 100g
• Onions 3 medium
• Fresh coriander 1 bunch
• Block of tamarind sauce-cumin powder, chaat masala, dried ginger, red chilli, jaggery, salt
• Rape seed oil/vegetable oil for frying

Method

Pokoray/Bhajees Gather all ingredients: onions, cranberries, gram flour (chickpea flour), spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander), baking powder, water, and oil for frying.

In a bowl, mix gram flour, spices (1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander), a pinch of salt, baking powder, and water to create a thick batter.

Peel and thinly slice the onions, and prepare the dry cranberries ensuring they are separated unless using fresh cranberries

Add the sliced onions and chopped cranberries to the batter and mix thoroughly, ensuring all pieces are coated.

Heat oil in a frying pan. Once hot, carefully place the bhajees in the oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally to cook evenly.

Once fried, remove the bhajees from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve hot with chutney or dip.

Display in a dish

Turmeric hot chocolate

Ingredients needed:

• Divine Tea
• Chocolate flakes
• Marshmallows
• Vanilla extract
• Dates
• Dairy milk or coconut milk

Method:

Hot chocolate mix

Gather all ingredients: chocolate (dark or milk), Divine Tea, vanilla essence, date paste or date butter, and milk or water.

In a small pot, melt the chocolate over low heat with some milk, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Add 1 teaspoon of Divine tea, a few drops of vanilla essence, to the melted chocolate. Mix well to combine.

Slowly pour in 2-3 cups of milk into the pot with the melted chocolate and spices, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of date paste or date butter for sweetness. Stir well to incorporate it into the mixture.

Let the mixture simmer over low heat for 3-5 minutes, allowing all the flavours to blend together. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

Pour the hot chocolate into cups and serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of turmeric or a dash of cinnamon for extra flavour.

Serve in special cup, embellish with real cream and sprinkles, or your topping of choice.

Turmeric Tea

Ingredients needed:

• Divine Tea

Method:

Turmeric Tea

Add a qtr. teaspoon to a mug and pour boiling water

Option to strain or not, most prefer not to

Pour into teapot and serve in cups

I would love to see your creations by tagging @divinetea_uk on Instagram!

Divine Teas Founder, Shahida Aslam will be appearing on Channel 4’s beloved festive series “Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas,” sharing her expertise in Christmas crafts and traditions.

During the show, Shahida will compete in the Christmas hamper competition against three other contestants from across the UK.

Shahida commented “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to share my creations with you all and further spread the word of Divine Teas”.

By day, Shahida works as Director of Operations for the Helena Kennedy Foundation, a social mobility charity, to help students overcome barriers and achieve their dreams.

Since joining the Helena Kennedy Foundation over 10 years ago in 2012, Shahida has been a cornerstone of their mission to champion social mobility. Her dedication and expertise have helped countless students access university and overcome significant challenges

The show will air from Monday 9th December with Shahida competing on Wednesday 11th December at 5:30pm.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact [email protected]