20 years of sublime service
Oven Delights, a family-run bakery from Chatsworth, branches out to Coastlands umhlanga
AFAMILY-OWNED bakery has brought much delight to the residents of Chatsworth and surrounds for 20 years.
On June 21, 1997, the first branch of Oven Delights opened in Sunset Avenue.
Brother and sister Rajan and Shamala Naidoo had different careers: he was a banker/financial consultant and she was a fashion designer/garment engineer. With no bakery experience, they saw a need for a bakery in a fast developing industrial area. With their families, and a contingent of loyal staff, adding in dollops of passion, commitment, dedication and eyes for detail, Oven Delights has become the success it is today.
The community responded well from the start. Nearby factories with large workforces helped them grow the business and gain market share through loyal support. This fed through to the nearby residential areas.
Rajan says: “Gradually, because of the consistent quality and freshness of our products, we were not able to cope with demand. We saw a need to open a second store 10 years later.
“The Ayesha Centre branch in Croftdene opened in 2007 and we have not looked back.”
Five years later, the family opened another store in the bustling Chatsworth Centre. Despite its close proximity to the Ayesha Centre outlet, it was profitable from day one.
Rajan adds: “Twenty years later, due to demand, we are proud to announce the opening of our ultra-modern designer store in umhlanga, based at the Coastlands Hotel. Opening specials will be announced on radio on Friday, June 23, which is the big day.”
Now that the family business is expanding further and, for the first time, moving out of their comfort area, is there any trepidation?
“Not at all. We are upbeat about this new venture. Since advertising the new store on the billboard along Higginson Highway, we have been inundated with calls from people wanting to know more about the opening.”
Being a family-owned business, all the stores are managed by family and they believe that is the hallmark of their success.
They also attribute it to the staff complement of 70, some of whom have been with them as long as 18 years.
They enjoy a low staff turnover. “We are very grateful to them for their loyal service and willingness to make Oven Delights a winner,” says Rajan.
“We have considered opening a store in Joburg and are optimistic that it will be a reality in the future,” he said.
Oven Delights is a fully-fledged bakery, with all production done on the premises, yet they ensure they do not lose focus on being a traditional bakery. Their main lines are breads, pies, confectionery and birthday, wedding and novelty cakes.