As part of our “New Business Spotlight”, the Coonabarabran Times caught up with Ansie Van Swchalkwyk, from Home Aroma Meals, who is bringing her love of cooking to dinner tables across Coonabarabran...

Can you tell me where the idea to start Home Aroma Meals came from?

Earlier this year, one of my friends hurt her foot and asked if I minded cooking her a few things - braised beef cheeks, butter chicken, beef stroganoff and bobotie, which is a South African sweet curry mince dish. When I dropped it off she said to me, “Why don’t you start a business?” And I thought, I might give that go.

What was the first step in getting your business off the ground?

I started a private Facebook group with some friends because I wanted to start off small and then build on it from there. My first order was for 70 people! That was starting small! I was prepping one day and cooking meals the next day. The most meals I made was 200 and that’s when realised I needed a bigger kitchen! We started looking at options around town and that’s how we ended up in the kitchen of the former Tastebuds Cafe.

How are you settling into your new business venture?

It’s a bit different to being on the farm, but I love to cook! That is my passion - cooking for other people. I’m excited to share my meals with the local community!

Can you tell me how it works?

Each week I release a menu for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - usually a beef, chicken and lamb dish, along with a dessert of the week. You can order online through the Home Aroma Meals Facebook page, or via text or in store in Dalgarno Street. Basically, orders need to be received by 9pm the evening before and you pick up the following afternoon. I can also do gluten free and other dietary requirements as well.