Mother creates recipe for better life
A solo mother of three, desperate to ditch a benefit, saved up $20 a week for two years to set up a new baking business.
Talented baker Jude Mitchell, from Blenheim, was widowed five years ago.
With two girls and a son with complex special needs to care for, Mitchell received a benefit from Work and Income.
She said the driving force behind her new business was the wish to support herself and her son, who has an extremely rare genetic disorder.
She did not want to use money from other people she said.
‘‘I found there’s a certain stigma attached to being a solo mum ... and that’s really been the driving force behind this for me.
‘‘I don’t expect this will make me rich but I hope to make enough to not have to be on the benefit. I’ve always been a bit of a home body and both my Mum and mother-in-law were great cooks and I’ve always been around baking.’’
Jack, 17, was diagnosed with Oliver-mcfarlane syndrome three years ago. He is blind, has severe hearing issues and doesn’t talk. He is about the same size in stature as a 10-year-old, Mitchell said. His condition is so rare, doctors struggled to find a diagnosis. Globally, there are thought to be only 12 people officially diagnosed with the syndrome.
Jack had suffered years of ill health, including heart failure at 8 days old.
Mitchell said her son had recently started going to respite care at the Papatuanuku Independency Trust in Waikawa which had freed up some time.
‘‘He absolutely loves it there and the staff have been absolutely brilliant. Jack’s a gorgeous bundle of bubbly happiness,’’ Mitchell said.
Her youngest child suffers from severe food allergies and it was partly this that prompted Mitchell to make sure all her cakes are gluten free.
‘‘People have been really surprised when they find that out, they can’t tell,’’ she said.
Mitchell will officially launch a range of gluten-free Christmas cakes and biscuits at the Marlborough Hospice Pre-christmas Peek event on Sunday, December 2.