Shahnaz, deeply committed to honoring Charles' legacy, serves as the Executive Director of Shahnaz and Charles Community Care (STEP & CURE), a non-profit residential facility and orphan center. The center is dedicated to rehabilitating and enriching the lives of orphans and adults with mental and physical disabilities, while also undertaking a variety of impactful projects to support its mission.

 

Driven by a vision of compassion, inclusivity, and empowerment, Shahnaz is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together with her team at Step & Cure, she works tirelessly to uplift the community through essential services, promoting sustainable living, advocating for social justice, and protecting the natural environment.

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In 2009, Shahnaz Barker founded Coriander Connections in Hong Kong, where she passionately introduced the wonders of Asian cuisine through presentations, demonstrations, and cooking classes. Her venture quickly gained a devoted following, with students eager to explore the rich flavors of dishes from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

Building on the success of her classes, Shahnaz expanded into catering and delivered educational presentations at schools and universities, highlighting cooking techniques and the health benefits of herbs and spices.

 

Her culinary journey later took her to Thailand, the UK, and Pakistan, where she continued to share her expertise. Beyond the culinary world, Shahnaz is also a talented website designer with a strong interest in textile and clothing design, reflecting her diverse creativity and skills.