Nadya Selamat 

On my graduation day in late May 2014 with Chef Paul Dickens on the right.

On my graduation day in late May 2014 with Chef Paul Dickens on the right.

 
 

THE BEGINNING

My name is Marcelina Nadya Selamat, and people call me Nana. I was born in South Sumatera Island, Palembang, Indonesia. However, I was raised in Jambi until I was 13 years old before I moved to Singapore to continue my education. I finished my secondary school and received the 'O' Level Certificate when I was 16.

The chef's life and kitchen life have raised my curiosity since I was 14 and experimenting with new cake recipes has been a hobby of mine ever since. I remember the very first time I found out about Le Cordon Bleu. I saw it on the back of a magazine while I was on a ferry to Singapore. At that moment, it was the first time in my life that I found something that I really want more than anything in the world, and I'm willing to give everything that I have in order to get it. It felt like falling in love.

I finished my secondary school at a very young age which doesn’t make it any easier for me to get into a culinary school which the age requirement is usually 18 yo and above. My parents prevented me from traveling on my own, the reason was because I was too young to live on my own, so I moved to Melbourne, Australia in February 2013 with the support of my mother. I studied Hospitality and Patisserie at William Angliss Institute for one semester (6 months).

I moved to Le Cordon Bleu Wellington, New Zealand in October 2013 after I was given freedom from my parents! It was most definitely a dream come true. I was in the Le Grand Diplome course which is a combination of two courses of Diplome de Cuisine and Diplome de Patisserie. I decided to do both at the same time and it was the best decision that I've ever made. I graduated in May 2014 when I was 17.

From working in a professional kitchen to becoming a home cook.

From working in a professional kitchen to becoming a home cook.

NANA CAKE BOUTIQUE

After I graduated, I initially planned to continue my education in Paris. For some reasons, my plan did not work out and I ended up moving to Jakarta, Indonesia. I started taking cake courses and local food courses. On 20th January 2015, I have officially established Nana Cake Boutique. No, I did not start off the business with a beautifully designed logo and cake photos taken under the perfect light.

It all started with a pinch of courage and a dash of love.