House of Deliciousness owner Ness Smolders (fourth from left) celebrates the bakery’s first birthday with her team: (left to right) Sarah, Daz, Shari, Ness, Annette and Ginger. Image: Jade Photography by Aleesha.
When Ness Smolders opened House of Deliciousness a year ago, her biggest question was one many new business owners face: would anyone come?
As it turned out, finding customers was not the hard part.
The Albert Street home bakery will celebrate its first birthday this Sunday, marking a busy first year for the “hole in the wall” bakery café opposite Moree Public School.
Ms Smolders said running a new business had been demanding, but not because customers were hard to find.
“The first year in business is hard,” she said.
“But getting customers, that’s been easy. It’s just been hard trying to keep up with the demand.”
That demand has turned some days into long runs of baking and preparation, with Ms Smolders sometimes starting at 5am and working up to 17 hours to keep the bakery stocked.
She originally planned to open more often after school, but said the extra time was often needed in the kitchen.
“If I’m open, I can’t bake,” she said.
Before opening House of Deliciousness, Ms Smolders received a $5,000 grant through Moree Plains Shire Council’s 2025 Small Business Fund, which helped pay for stainless steel benches and design plans for the bakery.
Already known locally for her catering and baked goods, she said the home-based model allowed her to open the business without the overheads of a traditional shopfront.
Ms Smolders said the business also began with a council experience that was different to what many people might expect from a development application process.
She said she approached council with the idea, asked for a meeting, and explained she wanted to create a small “hole in the wall” home bakery where people could pick up packaged goods.
“I just said, ‘I think I might be wasting all your time. All I wanted to do was just put a hole in the wall and I think you’re going to say no’,” she said.
Instead, Ms Smolders said council staff talked through the idea with her and worked through how the home bakery model could operate.
“I’ve never had an issue with them,” she said.
“Council have been great the whole way through.”
The business has also changed as customers shaped the menu.
When House of Deliciousness first opened, cupcakes were the main draw. Since then, slices have become one of the bakery’s most popular products, alongside homemade sausage rolls and thick-cut toasties.
“When I first opened it was cupcakes,” she said.
“Then when I introduced more and more slices, everyone just loved the slices.”
Ms Smolders said Sunday’s celebration was her way of thanking the people who had supported the business throughout its first year.
“I just want to give a little bit back because they’ve supported me,” she said.
House of Deliciousness will open from 7am on Sunday, with first birthday celebrations beginning at 10am. Free cupcakes and other small treats will be available during the celebration.
