It is not common to see a new business owner who was born this side of the millennium, but an ambitious pastry chef is breaking the mold in Officer.
Gazette journalist Corey Everitt reports.
Annalise Cachia took over Goodie Two Shoes in July at the age of 23, moving from pastry chef to owner since her start a year prior.
The Officer Gelato and Dessert Bar sees Annalise working from early in the morning to late at night, it’s the next step in her career as a pastry chef that started when she was a teenager.
The previous owner recently sold the business and Annalise took the opportunity.
“It’s definitely been a dream of mine to always have a business of my own and I know this is a very nice area, a great family community,” she said.
“So I really wanted to jump on board with that and share my passion with the community.”
Growing up in Endeavour Hills, she started her apprenticeship as a pastry chef straight out of highschool, but her love for baking started when she was 14 years old cooking with family.
“My brothers were into cooking, and I used to watch them as a kid.
“And then my sister-in-law, she’s also a pastry chef, I went to do work experience with her once and I loved it.“
Annalise studied at Holmesglen, in 2022 she earned bronze in the Victorian TAFE Patisserie Challenge.
As a young small business owner, it was daunting at first, but Annalise says she has always been a go-getter.
“I seemed pretty confident, and then I got the keys, and then I was like, oh, can I do it? And then, no, definitely, I’ve got the support of my family and friends behind me.
“I know people my age probably haven’t been able to have the opportunity to live their dreams, but I’ve just worked hard and I have had the best family support.
“Just push through with whoever’s supporting you along the way, they are the ones that are real.”
She also runs a wholesale business alongside Goodie Two Shoes, all the sweet delicacies are made fresh early each morning at her wholesale site and then sold from the afternoon til late.
It didn’t help that within the first few weeks of her taking over, she found out that the IGA next door was broken into; however, it just made clear how much support she has around her.
“We’re a tiny community here.
“So, when that did happen, I actually went over and asked how they were, and they were okay.
“I got a call from the conveying team a couple of doors down and they asked me if I was okay, I wasn’t actually here at the time.
“But we all know each other and look out for each other.”
She takes on a small business while prices have gone up considerably, the last few years have not been accommodating to small business.
Despite this, Annalise likes to keep the prices reasonable.
“Things are actually quite expensive, I try and keep it as fair as possible because it’s not fair that customers are paying 15 bucks for dessert, that’s not ideal.“
Her main goal is to ensure people don’t go without a sweet treat.
“Even if it’s a cookie, I want them to eat it and go, wow, this is actually really good quality.
“At the end of the day, that’s what I care about. It’s not about the money. It’s not about how much profit I make.
“It’s just that people come in and they’re happy with what they buy.”
Goodie Two Shoes is located at 47 Timbertop Boulevard, Officer.
