Nothing brightens a long lockdown day at home more than a surprise knock at the front door. It doesn't matter if you're working, studying or procrastinating, a delivery of something - anything - is welcomed.
Andrea and Chris Neesom, of Warners Bay business Cookie Pizza, have been bowled over by the interest in their product in recent weeks. They started the family-run business two years ago and have only just introduced home delivery.
Their pizza base is a 22-centimetre hand-baked vanilla cookie covered in melted Cadbury chocolate and then topped with different flavours. There are currently five to choose from: Cookies & Cream, Caramello Gaytime, Tim Tam, Rainbow and Mars Bar.
Each pizza is delivered to your door in a traditional pizza box.
Andrea is originally from country Victoria. She met Chris while travelling overseas and, 10 years ago, moved to his Lake Macquarie stomping ground to start a family.
"I've worked in hospitality since I was a teenager as a cook, bar tender and waitress," she said.
"Once the kids were a little older I decided I wanted a job that would suit my family, and that's when I decided to work in markets. I've been doing the markets (particularly the Aussie Night Markets) around the state over the past four years.
"We really wanted to nail an original fun idea that was novel and new to people, and came up with the idea of combining chocolate and pizzas.
"When things slowed up during COVID last year I had the chance to take stock and wanted to do some good with the product and that's where the fundraising idea came from.
"I see Cookie Pizza as a fundraising company first and foremost and eventually would like to offer alternative products."
The Neesoms sold their cookie pizzas to school and sporting club fundraisers and "had a really good response" but when COVID returned this year, they had to rethink their business model.
"We had to assume markets and fundraisers were out," Neesom said, "So we thought we would trial home delivery in different areas.
"This has only been going for a few weeks and we are blown away by the positive response we are getting - it's beyond our wildest dreams. Deliveries are selling out. We now have a delivery schedule for Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie."
Home delivery will continue for the immediate future however Neesom would like fundraising to remain the core of the business.
"We have found that working with volunteers who give up their time is really rewarding. I like the idea of cookies with a conscience."
