Naheed Ansari, widely known across Pakistan and beyond for her cooking skills and warm presence on television, passed away on Friday after bravely battling cancer.

She affectionately called Naheed Apa, the beloved chef who devoted more than 35 years of her life to cooking and left a lasting impression on the culinary world.

Naheed Ansari’s cooking shows were popular in Pakistan, and she gained admiration worldwide for her expertise in creating recipes that delighted countless viewers.

Her influence went beyond television. She also served as the director at Creative Hands by Naheed Ansari, where she shared her culinary knowledge with aspiring chefs and enthusiastic home cooks through well-regarded summer courses in cooking and baking.

Apart from her career achievements, Naheed Apa was highly valued for her compassionate nature, which inspired and mentored numerous individuals in the industry and beyond. Her departure tremendously grieves those who knew her personally and via her work on television.

Prominent TV host Sidra Iqbal expressed her deep sadness at Naheed Ansari’s passing, reflecting on her enormous influence on the food world and the lives she touched with her love of food and giving nature.