Meet the Woman Behind 17 Berkshire!
Get to know Nuha Abuduhair, owner and baker behind Overton Park favorite, 17 Berkshire! The French-inspired patisserie in the heart of Memphis is known for its baked goods, afternoon teas, and uncanny ability to brighten your day.
Baking has always been a joy for Nuha Abuduhair. From her pediatric nursing days to her time as a stay-at-home mom, she turned to baking for stress relief. Perfecting her culinary skills along the way, Nuha now uses her expertise to bring a little delight into the lives of others through 17 Berkshire, her French-influenced bakery in Overton Square.
The patisserie serves a decadent assortment of fresh pastries and macarons along with coffee, tea, and custom-made cakes, tarts, and petit fours. Nuha named the bakery after the address of her childhood home — where her love of baking began — and she loves seeing customers light up when they step inside the shop. “I have the privilege of making people’s days better, and I’m so grateful for that opportunity,” Nuha says.
Get to know this passionate FACE of Memphis!
Tell us a little bit about your background. Are you from Memphis?
I am a first-generation Palestinian American. I was born and raised in the Nutbush neighborhood of Memphis, graduated from Houston High in Germantown, and later pursued my Bachelor’s of Nursing from The University of Memphis. I now reside in Collierville with my husband and three children.
How and when did you first discover your passion for baking?
Growing up, my mom was always working on sewing projects for us, stenciling the walls, or upholstering headboards for our rooms. She made sure we helped with these projects and helped in the kitchen, too. I loved the beauty and excitement that came with decorating a cake or making dessert for someone! When I was in nursing school, I used baking as my creative outlet to relieve stress. Fast-forward to becoming a mom myself, I turned back to baking as a creative outlet when my kids were little.
Tell us about the journey to opening 17 Berkshire.
After the birth of my second child, I decided to pause my nursing career. I was struggling with my role as a mom of two and the fact that I was no longer working. Money was tight, so I was limited in what I could do for fun. I turned to baking since it was something I could whip up with ingredients on hand in the comfort of my own home. A friend encouraged me to start an Instagram account, so I began posting the desserts I baked. Macarons were my obsession — I was determined to figure them out and bake them consistently.
A few months later, a local Memphis photographer saw one of my Instagram posts. She invited me to be part of a Southern Bride photoshoot. After that styled shoot, my world was exposed to the beauty of being a creative entrepreneur. I wanted more! I started looking for markets and festivals where I could sell my products from time to time. Then, I began hosting pop-ups in local coffee, flower, and gift shops. Eventually, I outgrew my home kitchen and needed more help. That’s when I knew I needed to find a storefront.
After a bit of searching, we stumbled upon a location in Overton Square.
What makes 17 Berkshire unique from other local bakeries?
17 Berkshire is a place that makes you feel like you’ve treated yourself to a mini-vacation. You step into the shop and are greeted by the bright and airy space, colorful pastries, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tea, and friendly faces. Many of our pastries are European-inspired, with a Middle East-meets-Southern twist.
You’ll find classics like chocolate chip cookies and fudge brownies, but you’ll also find delicious semolina cakes and orange blossom lattes. My goal is for everyone who enters our shop to leave feeling a little bit better. I hope they love every pastry and drink from us and feel like we’ve made their day.
What was it like to transition from working as a nurse to being an entrepreneur and bakery owner?
Both careers have taught me that you can care for people in so many different ways. It also taught me to multitask, read emotions, and stand on my feet for long hours at a time. My nursing colleagues were some of my first customers. To this day, I get so many nurses who come in to treat themselves.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in getting the bakery off the ground and maintaining its success?
Ideas are easy. We all have them, and they’re usually pretty cool. But executing those ideas in a profitable and proficient way is a lot harder than it looks. The other challenge is keeping up with the ever-evolving demands of social media. I see so many bakeries posting fun behind-the-scenes or “day in the life” videos. I would love to share that content, but it’s so hard to film while you’re simultaneously working, reading recipes, and washing dishes!
What are your personal favorites on the 17 Berkshire lineup?
We are definitely known for our macarons, but the Semolina Cake has a cult following. It’s a semolina, pistachio, almond flour, and orange blossom cake topped with whipped labneh and cream frosting. Right now, my favorite thing to bake is croissants! It’s been a labor of love, so each batch still feels like an experiment.
What inspires your creativity in the kitchen?
I’m often inspired by the season — whether by weather, cultural events, or holidays. I love seeing all the beautiful pastries coming out of Asia and Australia. I’m always inspired by florals and fruits. Those are two of my favorite combinations to incorporate into our pastries.
What’s next on the horizon?
I’m not sure what’s next. As my kids are getting older, their demands are, too. They’re my number one priority, so I’d love to find a way to give both the business and my family the appropriate amount of love and attention. It’s easier said than done. In a dream world, I would franchise 17 Berkshire and see beautiful tea rooms all across the country!
What are your favorite places to eat, shop, and play in Memphis?
I love getting shawarma from Queen of Sheba on Germantown Parkway. Across the street is the Cordova International Farmer’s Market, and I love roaming the aisles and grabbing fresh produce, checking out the candy section, and seeing what new-to-me food products they’ve got. The bibimbap (Korean rice bowl) from Kwik Chek always touches my soul, especially on a gloomy day. My family and I love walks around the lake in Shelby Farms!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The one reminder I come back to often is, “Don’t let other people tell you how much you are worth.”
Name three things you can’t live without.
Dandy Blend. I’ve recently cut out caffeine, and this instant herbal tea tastes a lot like instant coffee but without the side effects of caffeine. Also chapstick and gold hoop earrings (I grew up in the ’90s!).
And, our final lightning round of questions!
Last delicious local meal: Sunshine Burrito from City Silo
Favorite vacation spot: Visiting family in Palestine
Books on your bedside table: As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, The Duke and I (book one in the Bridgerton series), and Dancing Into Light (This is my cousin’s memoir and has so many nods to beloved family members, including my mom and grandmother).
Your go-to birthday gift to give: Flowers or plants! I’ll stop by Everbloom on Broad Avenue and get a bouquet made or grab some from one of the pop-ups we have in the shop. I love putting arrangements together from Trader Joe’s and putting gift packages together based on a theme. I get so inspired by local gift shops like Falling Into Place and Mrs. Post Stationery & Gifts.
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Emily McMackin
Emily McMackin Dye is an Alabama native and Tennessee transplant, who recently moved to Memphis from Nashville. A freelance writer, she enjoys exploring history, culture, and the lifestyle scene surrounding her new home in The Bluff City.