On the rolling red plains at Weengallon Ladies Day, with a donation of more than 520 berry-infused chocolates to get the women talking, Andrea Slack-Smith's chocolate business was born.
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Andrea makes chocolate "15 different flavours to be exact" and three of those flavours got her the exposure she needed, when she gave out berry flavoured chocolates at the annual Ladies Day at Weengallon last year.
"I had no idea where it would go, what direction, or how successful it would be," she said.
"Weengallon was a sellout. I sold 60 boxes and was totally run off my feet," she said.
The Miss Delicious chocolatier has come from humble beginnings. Having studied a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Andrea said it was her background in graphic design that really launched her chocolate business.
"All the packaging, graphics and design started to come back to me. Not only did I get a kick out of finding chocolate combinations, but I became a business," she said.
Adding a personal touch to each of her chocolates, there are 15 handcrafted flavours to choose from, including strawberry and champagne, peanut butter, and salted caramel.
The business has come a long way since she first attempted chocolate making for the local preschool's 40th anniversary function.
"I was a novice at it all, and it was all just an idea, but it took off from there. I've always had a good reception with it," she said.
After Weengallon Ladies Day last year, Andrea went to North Star High Tea, where she received more positive feedback, which has encouraged her to keep going.
"I then won Goondiwindi Gourmet best exhibitor. I was quite humbled by it; I didn't realise there would be such a good reception," she said.
Working with such fine chocolate in the heat of the Queensland bush can be difficult at times, but Andrea said it was important to bring quality products into the outback.
She already supplies the Goondiwindi florist, O'tordu Flowers, Hampers and Gifts, but Andrea said she was looking forward to branching out further.
"It's such a niche market, bringing all those gourmet yummies into a rural area," she said.
"My aim is to take them to places that are prepared to make sure they're stored appropriately," she said.
And storing them in the harsh outback heat has been a lot harder than first imagined.
"It's very difficult to work with in this heat. I don't use any artificial colours and flavours, or preservatives, so it means you have to look after them a bit better," she said.
"But don't worry too much about how you store them. They get eaten pretty quickly."
Andrea has been in business for a little more than 12 months now, and has already supplied chocolate for weddings and corporate functions, but her busiest day of the year was Valentine's Day.
"We were so busy, absolutely the busiest day of the year. And Mother's Day is another big one, obviously, everyone getting little treats."
Her design focuses on the colour pink, which is why for Father's Day, she had to 'man up' her chocolates.
Andrea's three daughters, aged 8, 10 and 13, have been a large influence for her creativity.
"I've always been a creative person, but I had to find new elements out here to keep that creative energy going. I was fortunate when I had (my daughter) Zara. She was into princesses and fairies," she said.
But the pink colour scheme quickly disappears come December, where Christmas-themed packaging will become a standout.
"I've changed over to a variation of green for a little bit of a Christmas touch. I've gone with olive green. I want to keep them upmarket - it keeps it fresh in terms of marketing," she said.
When Christmas is just around the corner, people have been rushing to the only place that sells Miss Delicious, Goondiwindi Florist O'tordu Flowers, Hampers and Gifts.
"The florist has been great and they have a great relationship. Storage hasn't been an issue for them; the chocolates are gone very quickly. It's great for me to think that people like them so much," she said.
"I have people come up to me in the street telling me which one is their favourite, so I'm still receiving lots of good feedback and interest."
At this stage, O'tordu in Goondiwindi is the only place to buy Miss Delicious chocolates, but orders can be made through Andrea via the Miss Delicious Facebook page.
With interest from places in Toowoomba and right down to Inverell, Miss Delicious is making strides this festive season.
