Baked with Heart: Sugar Bee Perth's Sweet Journey to Gather & Gourmet

Their customer base continues to grow — not just because their products are delicious, but because of the care and effort that goes into every aspect of their business.

If you found yourself strolling through Gather & Gourmet and caught the scent of something sweet, buttery, and utterly irresistible in the air, there’s a good chance it was coming from Sugar Bee Perth. Known for their flavour-packed creations and loyal following, Sugar Bee is run by Dennis Batz and his husband Made — a dynamic duo who have built a small business with big heart.

This Saturday, 31st May, they’ll be bringing their signature range of handcrafted treats to Gather & Gourmet at Supreme Court Gardens, and it’s safe to say the hype is very real.

From Humble Beginnings to Local Favourite

Sugar Bee’s journey began in 2012, when Dennis worked at a family-owned bakery within the Boatshed Markets in Cottesloe. After five years of gaining experience and falling in love with the process of baking and product development, the bakery owner decided to sell. Rather than step away from the world of baking, Dennis took the leap and launched his own business.

Armed with two trestle tables and a tent, he opened his first Sugar Bee stall at the Murray Street Mall markets in the heart of the city. It didn’t take long before his creations caught the attention of customers. Many began returning week after week to stock up on their favourite sweet treats — an early sign of the loyal customer base the business would go on to build.

A Partnership in Life and in the Kitchen

Not long after launching Sugar Bee, Dennis met Made, a trained Private Chef and Pastry Chef who studied and worked across Europe. Their shared love for food and creativity quickly turned into a partnership that extended beyond their personal life. With Made joining the business, Sugar Bee’s offerings were elevated to a whole new level.

Together, they now produce a wide range of popular baked goods from their shared bakery space in Hamilton Hill. Some of their most loved products include the indulgent Biscoff Crookie, buttery Pistachio Croissants, and a rotating collection of creative, small-batch sweets.

Everything is made by hand, and wherever possible, they use locally sourced ingredients. Dennis and Made collect fresh produce from other stallholders during their weekend farmers market runs, proudly supporting WA businesses. You’ll find Fremantle Eggs, among other local suppliers, featured in their bakes — a quiet but meaningful nod to their commitment to quality and community.

Full-Time Bakers with a Purpose

By 2022, Sugar Bee had grown enough for Dennis and Made to commit to the business full-time. After the challenges of COVID-19, which paused events and impacted their trade significantly, they used the downtime to reassess their priorities. When markets resumed, they jumped in wholeheartedly, focusing on expanding their offerings and streamlining production.

Their decision to go all-in on Sugar Bee has paid off. They’ve since become regulars at the Perth Royal Show, and are often invited to showcase their products at major events across the city. Their customer base continues to grow — not just because their products are delicious, but because of the care and effort that goes into every aspect of their business.

Doing Good with Leftovers

Sustainability is also at the heart of what Sugar Bee does. Dennis and Made work with a platform called Foody Bag, which allows them to sell their leftover products at the end of the day at a reduced rate. These items are then made available to low-income individuals and families — a thoughtful way to eliminate food waste and support community access to quality food.

Any products still remaining after that are donated to Foodbank, coordinated through a local producer they work alongside at Vic Park Market. It’s another example of how Sugar Bee operates with both purpose and community in mind.

Looking Ahead

While they’ve received interest from interstate and are exploring the possibility of expanding to the East Coast, for now, their focus is firmly on serving Perth customers and continuing to grow locally.

Their goal is simple: create the best product possible and keep doing what they love — together.

See Sugar Bee at Gather & Gourmet

Dennis and Made are excited to be joining Gather & Gourmet this Saturday, 31st May, at Supreme Court Gardens from 3:30pm to 8:30pm. They describe the event as a vibrant celebration of Perth’s best specialty food offerings in a beautiful setting, and they’re proud to be part of the lineup.

You can follow their journey on Instagram at @sugarbee_perth to get a closer look at their latest creations and find out where they’ll pop up next.

If you’re heading to Gather & Gourmet, make sure to swing past their stall — you’ll find more than just a sweet treat. You’ll be supporting a local business built on passion, perseverance, and a whole lot of heart.