Tourists make pilgrimage to Vacy for Knox family’s sensational slices

IS it the light, crisp icing-topped pastry?

Is it the decadently rich and creamy custard filling?

Or simply a wickedly delicious combination of the two?

Decide for yourself by visiting the place unofficially crowned the Vanilla Slice Capital of the World (or at least the Hunter Valley).

Sure, that’s a big claim. But it’s well deserved.

Every week, hundreds of people flock to Vacy General Store and Café in the heart of the small Dungog Shire village to choose from the store’s varied range of vanilla slices.

Regulars who make the pilgrimage to Vacy include a bunch of bikers from Maitland and members of a Hunter car club, who pack the outdoor seating alongside custard connoisseurs from as far as Newcastle and Sydney.

“The other day a big group of ladies travelled for two and a half hours to try them,” said 17-year-old Rhylee Knox, the daughter of Lacey and James Knox, and its ace barista.

“People walk in and say ‘we’re here for your famous vanilla slices’.

“They’ve gone viral online, and our customers and Vacy locals have spread the word, too.”

Fans leave rave reviews online and the café now sells 200 or more slices a day, averaging 1200 a week.

Every day they sell out quickly – often by 10am – because, well, one’s rarely enough.

“Usually, people will eat one, or sometimes two, with their coffee, then take a few home,” Riley said.

“They rarely leave empty-handed.”

What’s the secret? Well, that’s a secret – like Coke’s secret formula and the Colonel’s mix of herbs and spices.

But, when their baker hit on the perfect combination of crispy pastry and delicious vanilla custard, it went viral on social media, helped by Lacey’s digital know-how.

The family are on a winner: Their sensational slices have been the making of the family business, where 14-year-old daughter Kodie and nine-year-old son Harley also lend a hand after school.

“Mum and I worked in the store before, but when the owner decided to sell up last year, we said let’s give it a go as a family,” Rhylee Knox said.

“We used to need only two people to run the store. But since the vanilla slices went crazy, we’ve had to employ three more.”