While the term may be a little confronting to some, for a bunch of bakers, being a ‘good bitch’ is something they’re very proud of.
Good Bitches Baking is a network of people who show kindness in their communities by baking tasty treats for those going through a rough time. Each organisation will have baking dropped off every Monday for those in the organisation’s care.
The Tauranga chapter has 70 bakers who make delicious delicacies for six charities around the city. The Tauranga charities are Awhina House, Homes of Hope, Shakti Tauranga, Rau O Te Huia Community Trust, Special Care Baby Unit and Te Tuinga Whānau.
“Our motto is making Aotearoa the kindest place on earth, one sweet treat at a time,” commented self-titled ‘Head Bitch’ of the Tauranga chapter, Mary Norris.
Mary Norris
“If they haven’t had home baking in a while, knowing that on a Monday, they’re going to get these lovely boxes of goodies delivered, it makes their day. I bake for Awhina House and I love it when I get to deliver it.”
Each baker is on a roster system meaning they bake once every six to eight weeks for their assigned charity. The desire to spread some cheer through baking is high – the Tauranga chapter has a waiting list of bitches wanting to join the ranks.
When asked why volunteering for the organisation is so popular, Mary said it’s the ethos of what they do, it helps that the name catches peoples’ attention too.
“It’s such a lovely thing to do to be able to bake for somebody,” continued Mary.
“It’s got a really good feel-good factor about it. It’s not like just throwing cash into something.”
Good Bitches Baking started in Wellington in 2014 with 15 volunteers. It now has 28 chapters and close to 3000 bakers across the country.
As part of their fundraising the charity has released their second cookbook filled with recipes from head bitches and famous New Zealand cooks and celebrities. Mary has her sought-after chocolate cake recipe in there.
To order the cookbook and find out more about Good Bitches Baking, visit gbb.org.nz
