Hidden Pantry a secret no longer as Ambre Eyre’s home cooking venture proves popular with sweet tooths

On a dusty dirt road at the edge of town, there’s a divine discovery delighting customers of all ages inside a unique cupboard that would not be out of place in Narnia. Nor the worlds of Willy Wonka and Alice in Wonderland. The tasty treats are made onsite with love by self-taught pastry cook Ambre Eyre. Stocked into an honesty-box style farm stall on her driveway every Sunday at 12pm sharp, locals in the know arrive early to ensure they don’t miss out. It’s called the Hidden Pantry and the vanilla slice inside has earned a devoted following. “I don’t even like custard,” Ms Eyre confesses. “But people just love it. I think it’s about the balance, light custard, not too sweet, not too much icing, and the pastry has to be just right.” After moving to Geraldton from Port Hedland for her kids’ schooling, the Moresby mum wanted to stay involved in family life while still having a creative outlet. “I wasn’t sure where I fit. So, I said to my hubby, please come buy this ugly cupboard off the internet with me. I had a vision,” she said. Restored and filled with goodies, that humble cupboard is now attracting customers from all over the Mid West. Ms Eyre’s secret weapon is a well-worn family recipe book passed down from her grandma, filled with generations of handwritten notes, newspaper articles, and old-school techniques. “She taught me to cook,” Ms Eyre said. “There are recipes from my great-grandmother in there too. Nan’s lemon slice is another big hit, and there’s a carrot cake she used to take to the gym, until she realised how many calories were in it.” Driven by her curiosity and creativity, the range was always evolving, from giant freckles and sticky date pudding to toffee apples and Biscoff crumble. “It’s my artistic outlet,” she said. “I can’t paint or draw anything, but I can cook. “I think part of the fun is, you can rock up as you are. You can jump out of the car in your pyjamas, you can go on an adventure and the kids come out with their pocket money and love it.” Ms Eyre, who also operates a food van at local events occasionally, laughs at how her little venture has gained popularity. “There are people lining up on deck chairs,” she said. “It has that old-worldly Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter Tea Party type vibe,” Ms Eyre, who styles herself as “The Mad Hatter of Moresby”. “Come for a drive, come for an adventure, find the Hidden Pantry,” she said. Open from 12pm on Sunday afternoons. Bring your pocket money and drive safely as you look out for the sign on Chapman Valley Road.