GMA names Kat Lieu, founder of Subtle Asian Baking, a 2022 AANHPI Changemaker on their Inspiration List

“The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community in the U.S. is diverse and woven together by rich traditions, food, languages, cultures and religions from within a global diaspora.

As the U.S. recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month amid a rise of violence and attacks, the AANHPI community has taken a stand for a more equitable, secure and inclusive society.

These individuals are doing the work day in and day out, and making it their mission to create a positive impact in the world, and this May, “Good Morning America” is honoring 14 changemakers with spots on the GMA Inspiration List.

Our list ranges from medical professionals on the front lines, to bakers, artists and more -- all of whom are passionate about AANHPI representation and empowerment, and have devoted their lives to uplifting, inspiring and creating a safe space for others in unique ways.

Ahead, meet one changemaker, Kat Lieu, on "Good Morning America’s" 2022 Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Inspiration List.” - Good Morning America

Baker builds global Asian baking community

“Kat Lieu is inspiring thousands -- from pastry chefs to home cooks alike -- to "bake the Asian way."

Lieu, author of “Modern Asian Baking at Home,” is the founder of Subtle Asian Baking, an inclusive and diverse global group of bakers born on social media during the early days of the pandemic. With businesses shuttered, bakeries at a standstill and much of the public only leaving their homes for essentials, Lieu said she "had to start baking this Asian way" in order to have goodies like egg tarts, milk breads and more at home.

“I wanted to bounce ideas off of other bakers who were nostalgic for these foods too that brought them comfort [and] who wanted to bake this way. I didn't see a collective community or network or space – and ‘subtle Asian’ communities are so big online now,” Lieu said.

“There was no subtle Asian baking, so that’s just how it started, I put it into Facebook, invited 100 of my closest friends and from that point on it just blew up.”

The group now has 144,700 members on Facebook with a daily reach of 100,000 members, plus, an additional reach of 13 million on Instagram.

“I never expected it to become this amazing network. It's much bigger than I anticipated,” Lieu said. “You don't have to be Asian to bake the Asian way."

Her growing community has inspired bakers across the world and stretched conversations across social media platforms and group chats.

It also gives back. Lieu has organized global bake sales to raise money for charities fighting Asian hate and most recently to support the World Central Kitchen’s efforts in Ukraine.

Lieu sees the group as “a movement and culinary innovation,” because it combines “traditional recipes from our culture diaspora in America,” as well as “recipes from way back, passed down from our ancestors,” like her Vietnamese grandmother’s cake that she learned from her parents’ restaurant.” - Good Morning America