When you’ve got a good product on your hands, it’s only a matter of time before demand outpaces supply. For Jodie Neilson’s New Farm Confectionery, the positive response was almost immediate. After outgrowing the brand’s poky nook on Baker Street in New Farm, Jodie quickly realised an upgrade was needed in order to not only cater to demand, but expand the range. In February Jodie moved her production and packaging processes under one roof in a new spot in Newstead, refining its operations while renovating its shop space. The space proved perfect for Jodie’s needs as it offered ample room for prep and packaging, warehouse facilities, office space and a minimalistic-yet-stylish high-ceilinged shopfront. The kitchen is divided into two spaces, outfitted for separate confectionery and chocolate preparation. Jodie and the team are maintaining their standard of excellence by sticking to small-batch, handcrafted and hand-tempered treats, but the addition of a new tempering machine and enrobing machine (and more elbow room) alleviates the restrictive pressures of space and volume encountered previously.
Long-time fans of Jodie’s heavenly products will still find all of their favourites in store, including New Farm Confectionery’s signature bark, honeycomb, brittles, sherbet lollipops and more. That being said, with extra space comes extra room for experimentation, and the New Farm Confectionery team is already hard at work expanding the range with a bunch of new options. You can sample the likes of milk-chocolate bark with roasted almond and smoked salt, white-chocolate bark with freeze-dried plum and wasabi sesame seed, and rosemary-infused hot chocolate – with more interesting combinations and collaborations with local producers to come. Another new wrinkle in New Farm Confectionery’s offering is a coffee and tea service, with beans from Wolff Coffee Roasters and organic loose-leaf tea from West End Tea Co. on hand for a pick-me-up alongside milkshakes and craft sodas.
New Farm Confectionery’s Newstead home is open now. Check out the Stumble Guide for opening hours and contact details.
