Suvechha Sarkar
When Nadia Mercuri stepped into the famous tent in season 16 of Netflix’s ‘The Great British Baking Show,’ she instantly stood out not just for her baking skills but also for the vibrant personality she brought to the table. With her infectious energy, she has a flair for blending culinary traditions with her skills. Nadia was inspired by her father, who is also a chef. Throughout Collection 13, she never lost her cool, which made her journey even more memorable. Whether it be a novelty cake or a classic recipe she reinvented, she never missed a chance to add her playful twist.
Nadia Faced Early Setbacks in the Show, But Proved Her Resilience
Nadia Mercuri had never imagined she would make it to the competition. However, the call finally came confirming that she had been selected to compete while she was in her salon. Despite her excitement, she had to contain it since she was in the middle of work. As soon as she participated in the bake off, she brought the strength of flavors and eye-catching designs. Nadia was also well aware of her biggest weakness, which she admitted was her tendency to rush, sometimes at the expense of precision. That habit showed up right in the very first challenge when she was creating Cherry Amour Swiss Roll. She crafted it with cherry and almond flavor, including cherry liqueur in her jam and almond essence in the sponge. While rolling the sponge, Nadia discovered she had pulled it out of the oven three minutes earlier.
Hence, the sponge broke, but instead of crumbling under the pressure, Nadia used her quick thinking and skillful hands. Although the judges noticed the cracks, she decorated them in a way that made the Swiss Roll look impressive. The second challenge tested her with Fondant Fancies. Unfortunately, despite its remarkable flavor, her batch turned out to be dry, landing her in seventh place. By the third challenge, Nadia channeled her memories from a family trip to Mauritius to create a landscape cake, named “My Island Dream.” It was a coconut and lime creation, infused with coconut liqueur and lemon curd. Although the judges deemed it to be overbaked, they complimented its flavor. Nadia’s determination to keep pushing stood out the most during her time at the competition.
Nadia Mercuri Efficiently Balances Her Career as a Hairdresser and Passionate Baker
Before Nadia Mercuri charmed the audience with her bakes, she started her professional journey as a Personal Trainer. Gradually, she became a hairdresser. As of writing, she has her own home salon, Nadia Mercuri Hairdressing. She has long been known for her creativity and eye for detail in this art. Currently residing in Liverpool, she has made baking her passion. It has been greatly inspired by her Italian father, Francesco, who is a chef. Hence, Nadia grew up surrounded by the aroma of rustic dishes and the philosophy that food brings people together. Over time, she blended her Italian roots with her Indian heritage, creating her signature soulful and flavor-packed style.
Nadia spends a fair amount of time in the kitchen making homemade pasta, roasting, and even preparing pudding. It is a safe space for her where heritage and heart collide. She often shares her baking journey with the world through her Instagram account. Her feed is filled with snapshots of her incredible creations, like a double chocolate cake, sourdough loaf, fresh cream and raspberry cake, and many more. Nadia can also be seen cooking dishes like lasagne and focaccia, as well as cannoli filled with ricotta, among many others. With each of the delectable dishes, she showcases her culinary skills and garners immense support and praise from her followers.
Nadia Mercuri’s World Revolves Around Her Partner and Daughters
At the heart of Nadia Mercuri’s world is the love of her life and her partner, Daniel, and her two beautiful daughters, Rosa-Bella and Maria. They are not just her biggest supporters, but also the most significant source of comfort. Nadia and Daniel have together built a warm and loving home that centers around their children. From going on cozy date nights together to going on long drives, the pair cherishes every moment they spend together. Rosa-Bella and Maria often join their mother in the kitchen. Nadia feels delighted to pass on her love for food to them. She fosters a close bond with her girls, which was evident from their attendance at the Taylor Swift concert, the Eras Tour. From baking beautiful cakes for Rosa-Bella’s first holy communion to Maria’s birthday, Nadia always makes them feel special.
Nadia describes her family as her world, and they often make spontaneous plans to visit different lakes and explore nature. In August 2025, she, Daniel, and Rosa-Bella had attended a victory parade held by the Liverpool Football Club. One of their most memorable moments was from their trip to Mauritius, inspiring one of her first bakes on the show. Nadia continues to hold immense affection, gratitude, and respect for her parents. While she spends time shopping, dining out, or traveling with her mother, her bond with her father, Francesco, revolves around cooking. Friends are also a vital part of her life, which is highlighted in her small gestures, like baking cakes or doughnut rocks for their birthdays. Despite occasional glimpses of her happy family life, she also maintains a private Instagram account. It indicates Nadia’s choice to draw a line between public admiration and her personal life.
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