Pay it forward plan at Huntly's Honesty bakehouse aims to help people in need
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THE fledgling bakery business in The Square Deal hopes that the season of goodwill can be extended all year round.
Anne Keenan took over the Honesty Bakehouse at the start of November and always makes sure that any of her goodies left at the end of the day go to people in need but now she's also giving customers the opportunity to "Pay it Forward" - paying for a loaf of bread or cakes or croissants which Anne will give to an individual or family in need.
Anne explained: "If someone would like to buy a loaf of bread for someone less fortunate than themselves, they should just speak to me. By taking part people will literally be putting bread on the table of a Huntly local who needs it."
The Honesty Bakehouse Project was developed by Deveron Projects and launched by baker Kate Taylor - Beale and Christine Sell.
Now Ms Keenan, who describes herself as 'super passionate about food' has followed her dream and taken over at the helm.
The bakery's opens from Tuesday to Saturday and she's there by 4.30am to start baking.
The bakery was founded on the principals of good wholesome breads and sourdough loaves, its specialities are much in demand - sometimes wholemeal or a country cob or seeded and even as baguettes.
But the bakery offering has expanded and Anne likes to experiment with flavours, inspired by time spent in Australia and Singapore.
The offering can include anything from the original and very popular cinamon buns and croissants to treacle and spice cake, egg nog custard tarts, cinamon and honey scones and pickled onion, ham and cheese tarts.
After a long career in the energy industry and a spell as a print and radio journalist before that, Anne says: "I have found my happy place. I have followed my dreams, I was always interested in food and did a one year intensive course at the Tante Marie Culinary Academy in Guildford.
"During lockdown, I worked from home and delivered afternoon teas and then I saw the opportunity here. It's a lovely little space and the kind of enterprise that I can make my own."
Up to 50 customers a day pop into buy Anne's tasty baking and if she sees people looking through the windows and perhaps hesitant about going into the shop, she will go out and explain to them how the bakery operates and urge them to come in.
At the outset the bakery operated on a pay what you can basis but items are now priced but it still operates on an honesty principal and people make their own payments and take their change.
Anne hopes to inspire other people to become as passionate as her about baking and is giving the opportunity for anyone who would like to learn about sourdough and other baking to join her for a session as a volunteer.
Anyone interested should pop into the Honesty Bakehouse or contact her via its Facebook page.
n The Honesty Bakehouse re-opens on Wednesday after an extended festive break required to meet self isolation rules.
