Our Best Bakes | Charity Recipe Book Supporting Maggie’s Newcastle — with Foreword by Si King (The Hairy Bikers)

Launch of fundraising recipe book for Maggie's Newcastle

October 2025 marked a truly special milestone — the launch of Our Best Bakes: Recipes from the Heart of Maggie’s, a fundraising recipe book created to support Maggie’s Centre Newcastle. Filled with 23 much-loved home-bake recipes, this project has been a real labour of love — and every penny raised goes directly to Maggie’s, helping the centre continue its incredible work supporting people affected by cancer.

We were also honoured to have the foreword written by Si King — the famous North East legend of the beloved Hairy Bikers. Si’s warm and heartfelt introduction perfectly captures the spirit of Maggie’s: a place filled with kindness, community, and comfort.

A Recipe for Community

I’ve been a visitor at Maggie’s Newcastle for over eight years, and it has always been a warm, supportive place during challenging and emotional times. Back in early 2018, volunteer and baker Jen offered me a cup of tea and one of her famous cheese scones, still warm from the oven. We got chatting about baking, and she kindly wrote out her legendary recipe from memory — a small act of kindness that became the spark for what would one day grow into Our Best Bakes.

From an Idea to a Book

Fast-forward to late 2024: I met Jen again and suggested creating a charity recipe book featuring her comforting bakes. Together with fellow baker and volunteer Eve, I began photographing the recipes around Maggie’s kitchen table — a space where countless cups of tea have been poured and stories shared. The atmosphere was relaxed, creative, and full of laughter — just as every good baking session should be.

Capturing the Magic

After finalising the design and securing generous sponsorship from Nick and Bronwen from The Hut on the Green, the first print run arrived — and we couldn’t have been prouder.

Earlier this year, I was also thrilled to become a Sigma Creator, which made the project even more meaningful. The photographs were taken using Sigma Art lenses — the 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro | Art and 50mm f/1.2 DG DN | Art — capturing each bake’s texture, colour, and warmth in beautiful, authentic detail.

The Sweetest Success

Since launching, the response has been incredible. The books have been flying off the shelves, with 100% of profits supporting Maggie’s Newcastle. Seeing the community’s generosity has been so rewarding — it feels wonderful to give something back to a charity that means so much to me.

Our Best Bakes is more than a collection of recipes.
It’s a celebration of friendship, creativity, and the comforting power of food — made even more special by Si King’s heartfelt foreword and the amazing community that inspired every page.

I’ll always be grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life. 💛

Support Maggie’s Newcastle

You can purchase Our Best Bakes: Recipes from the Heart of Maggie’s directly from Maggie’s Centre Newcastle — with every copy sold helping to fund vital cancer support services. If you can't visit the centre, please send a message via my website and I can arrange to post to you. Link to contact page here.