When Katy Noorbakhsh was offered a job at a popular city centre restaurant, she knew she had to face up to an unusual fear.

"I could not bear to touch raw meat," she laughs. "I don't really know why I feel like this, but from as far back as I can remember I have stayed clear of touching it."

You would imagine that Katy - pronounced Cat-y' - would be vegetarian. But she isn't. "I like meat, it is just having to touch it before it is cooked."

Fortunately, she gets around the problem easily by wearing gloves as she works in the busy kitchen at Nando's restaurant in Bradford's Leisure Exchange.

"I'm fine if I don't have any physical contact with it. I would not touch meat even at home."

Born in the Iranian capital Tehran, Katy came to England to study for a psychology degree at the University of Bradford. She went on to take a masters in human resource management, finishing last September.

"I loved studying and living in Bradford," says the 28-year-old. "I really like England - the language and the weather."

Katy had a good command of English when she came to the UK, but it has greatly improved. Three years ago, she started working part-time at Nandos, the restaurant chain famous for its Portugese flame-grilled peri-peri' - or as some say, piri-piri', chicken.

"I started as a cashier then transferred to the kitchen to become a cook, I trained here, and now I train new staff."

Katy worked during her university course, and has stayed at the restaurant, preparing a range of food, primarily chicken dishes, along with vegetarian options.

"I really enjoy cooking," she says. "I could not cook at all when I left Iran, so it is a new skill."

At home she eats a lot of salad. "I love crunchy vegetables like cauliflower and carrots."

She does not miss her home country, but misses her family. "I miss my parents and extended family, but I have made a lot of friends here," she says.

Away from work, Katy is an avid reader, she enjoys reading factual books on philosophy and Gothic novels.

"I also like watching films - anything but science fiction," she says. "I prefer to stay at home rather than go out - if I go out I like a nice cosy bar."

Although she enjoys her job, Katy would ultimately like to use her qualifications and find work in human resources.

"If I could find the right job I would work anywhere in the country, but I would like to stay in Bradford if possible," she adds.

Pitta bread sandwiches

Ingredients

8oz soft cream cheese

2 tbsp of milk

A cup of chopped cooked chicken

cup of chopped cucumber

cup of chopped onion

tsp of salt

tsp of dill weed

A pinch of pepper

2 pitta breads, cut in half

Method

Combine the cream cheese and milk, mixing until well blended. Add the chicken, cucumber, onion and seasoning. Mix well. For each sandwich fill pocket with half a cup chicken of mixture.

Recipe from www.cooks.com Portuguese Piri Piri Chicken

Ingredients

2 tbsp grated fresh lemon rind

3 tbsp lemon juice

10 cloves of garlic crushed

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp hot pepper flakes

tsp salt

2lbs/1kg chicken pieces

Method

In large glass bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken, mix well. Add chicken, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally. Can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours if you want to make it in advance. Reserving marinade, place chicken skin side down, on a greased grill over medium heat and cook for ten minutes. Turn and brush with marinade. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced.

Recipe from www.recipezaar.com