Woolworths has turned one of Australia’s most iconic supermarket staples into a must-have accessory. The new $10 insulated “bachelor’s handbag” is designed to look like the supermarket’s famous hot roast chicken packaging. It hit shelves on 14 October and is already the talk of the town.
We tracked one down to see whether the Woolworths bachelor’s handbag is worth rushing out for. Despite looking exactly like a hot-chook bag, I was surprised to find it’s actually a zip-up insulated cooler bag with a shoulder strap and enough room for a whole roast chicken.
If you’re thinking of picking one up, here’s what you should know before heading out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Woolworths’ $10 ‘Bachelor’s Handbag’ is an insulated bag, styled like its hot chook packaging.
- It’s only available at select stores.
- It has a zip and detachable strap, and works best as a cooler or lunch bag.
We bought one: first impressions
I checked online first to make sure my local Woolworths had them in stock, then made a quick dash to the store. If you’re hunting for one, don’t look near the chickens; at my store, they were in a cardboard bin by the self-serve checkouts.
Honestly, I thought it would just be a plastic bag like the ones the chickens come in, but it’s actually more like a cooler bag dressed up as a hot chook holder. There’s a zip and a strap. I probably wouldn’t rely on it to keep my chicken piping hot, but I can see myself using it as a lunch bag for work.
What is the bachelor’s handbag?
The name was made official in 2022, when “bachelor’s handbag” was voted the Macquarie Dictionary’s People’s Choice Word of the Year. The term refers to a hot roast chook in its plastic carry bag, long considered the ultimate one-handed weeknight dinner.
Now, Woolworths has turned the nickname into a real product. The insulated bag carries the same signature graphics as the supermarket’s hot chook packaging and features:
- a carry handle
- a detachable, adjustable strap so it can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody
- built-in thermal insulation to help keep hot food warm or a packed lunch cool
“We decided it was finally time to make the moniker literal,” said Rhonda Ma, General Manager of Bags at Woolworths.
How to find the bachelor’s handbag
Woolworths hasn’t put out a list of which stores have them, so doing a bit of homework first could save you a wasted trip:
- Check the app first. Set your local store in the Woolworths app or on the website, then search ‘Bachelor’s Handbag’ to see whether it’s listed.
- Order online. It’s also available through Woolworths online, so you can add it to a delivery or pick-up order.
- Go early if you can. This is a limited edition item, and only available while stocks last.
Can it keep your chicken warm?
The insulation will help keep your chicken warm on the way home, but it’s not magic. Aussie food safety advice says you should eat hot food, keep it hot, or put it in the fridge within two hours. So the bag is handy for the drive or a picnic, but don’t leave your chook sitting in there all afternoon.
If you pop an ice brick in, it should work just as well as a regular insulated lunch bag.
What are shoppers saying?
Most people online seem pretty excited. I saw an Instagram post where the reaction to the chicken bag was pretty positive.
“The accessory of the season,” one person wrote.
Another added: “It would actually be pretty handy!”
“I need this omggg I always buy the roast chicken.”
Not everyone’s thrilled with the design, though. Some commenters pointed out that an artist has been making a similar design for years from upcycled cooked chook bags.
“@vanessadoesart has been making these, upcycling them from actual chicken bags used, for years,” they commented.
How to look after your handbag
The care label says to just wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. No wetting, washing, wringing or ironing. So if you do use it to actually carry a BBQ chook, it’s probably best to leave your chook in its original bag. For those curious, the label says the bag is made from PEVA on the outside and inside, with PE foam insulation and a PP strap. Made in China.
Our verdict
So, is it worth $10? As a novelty buy, absolutely. It’s surprisingly practical, feels sturdier than it looks and doubles as a reusable lunch bag. If you are in the market for a piece of Australian supermarket merchandise, get in quick because these won’t last long.
