{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"109. TV Baker Cynthia Stroud; Nigerian Childhood, Food Poverty and the Healing Power of Cake \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0","description":"TV baker and food judge Cynthia Stroud grew up in Nigeria, learning budgeting from her grandfather being paid in chickens and goats and about baking from her mother. In the UK she went from living off \u00a310 a week, to running her million pound cake-making business, Pretty Gorgeous Cake Co, and being honoured by the Queen. Her charity Jedidiah UK supports the many people left in poverty due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With stories from Nigeria, New York, Toronto and being called \u2018me duck\u2019 in the sleepy town of Hertford.   On this episode we cover:   Growing up loved but quite poor in Nigeria Education being the key to everything Living in the UK on \u00a310 a week The pride in making a fixed budget last Lockdown testing people\u2019s cooking skills Children in living in poverty Not all of us being \u2018in the same boat\u2019 Being brought up by grandparents in Nigeria Her grandfather being paid in yams and goats and chickens Hiding underneath the chambers desk doing her homework How the death of her grandfather changed everything The shock of going to live with her mum Finding God, oh and boys Going to university age 15 The rainy season in Nigeria flooding entire roads Saving for years to visit the UK Thinking the world had ended when it was dark at 5pm The surprise of different sunset times around the world Moving to sleepy Buckingham The surprise of people calling her \u2018my duck\u2019 Applying for 111 jobs The UK being bountiful place for opportunities Using her actions to help change racist preconceptions People underestimating you can be a good thing The element of surprise in business Employing young female apprentices to give them the opportunity How surprise skills can become your skill (cake!) Gender prejudice in the work place How \u2018you win people by your actions not your words\u2019 Feeling the weight of being judged if not dressed properly Wanting to \u2018make each place a little bit of home\u2019 Preferring to return to travel destinations Eating all day long in Spain and Portugal Shopping in New York Toronto feeling very welcoming Cake representing countries British cakes being amongst the best in the world Cake representing the happiest times in our lives A story behind every cake recipe Lisa\u2019s Nan\u2019s scones (video here!) Nigeria, Harry Belafonte and pancakes     ","author_name":"The Big Travel Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.thebigtravelpodcast.com","html":"