Baker To Launch Self-Serve Cookie Box
What started as a hobby in a host family’s kitchen has turned into a growing home bakery business for Rochelle Rayburn.
Originally from South Africa, R. Rayburn moved to the U.S. in April 2022 to work as an au pair for a family in rural Eureka. During her time there, she discovered a love for baking, whipping up cookies for birthdays, Bible studies, and anyone in need of a sweet treat. “I didn’t think much of it at first,” Rayburn said. “I just liked baking, and people kept asking for more.” After moving to Hamilton in 2024 with her husband, Jarett Rayburn, she turned her passion into a fulltime business, launching Chel’s Baking from her home kitchen in March of that year. Her cookies are now sold at Holmes Sundry in Hamilton and available by special order.
This Saturday, Oct. 4 she’s taking the next step: opening a self-serve bakery box at Eastside Service in Eureka. The self-serve concept will allow customers to grab cookies, brownies, and rotating baked goods at their convenience.
The system is based on trust: customers can pay with cash left in a secure box, via Venmo, or by scanning a QR code to pay with a card.
“I just want to make it easy for people to enjoy homemade cookies whenever they want,” said Rayburn. “I love the idea of something simple, local, and built on honesty.”
Alongside her expanding local reach, she also launched nationwide shipping earlier this month, allowing cookie lovers across the U.S. to order her treats online.
Baker To Launch Self-Serve Cookie Box
The menu includes eight signature cookie flavors (Chunky Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel Pretzel, Coffee Lover’s, Death By Chocolate, Mint Oreo Brownie, Peanut Butter Paradise, Biscoff Bliss and Party Animal) along with six inspired by her South African roots.
Despite coming from a big city in South Africa, she says she’s fallen in love with the pace of life in Hamilton.
“It’s a big change, but I absolutely love it here,” she said. “My husband’s family is amazing, and this community has been so supportive. It’s really special.”
R. Rayburn also noted the importance of her faith, throughout her new business venture. “I include a Bible verse on each flavour label. I also give out tracts with my testimony in each shipping box and plan to have some in the bakery box,” she stated. “My faith journey has also been central to starting this bakery. I gave my life to Christ on Easter in 2023. It has changed so much of my purpose and approach to my home bakery. At the end of the day, my goal is to share the love of Jesus in small, sweet ways,” she concluded.
Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her selfserve concept to include more locations and products. But no matter how far her cookies travel, she’s keeping her focus on faith, community, quality, and that warm, homemade taste.
For more information, visit chelsbaking.com, @ chels_baking on Instagram or email [email protected].
