Meet Courtenay Harris | Owner, Christopher’s Bakery & High School Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtenay Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtenay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting Christopher’s Bakery was a way for me to take the baton from my father and continue running a race that he started. As long as I remember, my father had been making his famous Vanilla Wafer Cake. But notice I didn’t say he sold it. He would just make it and give it away! I wanted him to sell it and start a business. However, after many long talks, he convinced me that he was too old and lacked the expertise to do so. At this point, I was more passionate about a business than he was. So, I set out to start Christopher’s Bakery. I wanted this cake to be in venues all across the country and decided to put the work in to see that happen. The bakery also allowed me to complete a goal that I’d had since my brother died – to honor him and his life. I’ve been able to show millions of people across the country who my brother Christopher was. I’ve been able to teach others about the joy with which he lived his life and teach people about epilepsy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Baking is part art and part science. It’s completely creative. And that aligns with my entire life. I’ve always been creative. I grew up singing and playing the trombone. I often go out and take pictures of nature and sports in my free time. I’ve worked in music studios and even as a high school teacher, I teach students in audio/video arts. Creativity has always been a way for me to express myself and baking is just an extension of that. My ability to do many things well has always been a strength of mine and I learned very early on that it isn’t worth putting your name on something you aren’t proud of, so I work very hard to achieve excellence.

While I was born in Miami, I’ve lived in several different places across the country and had many different careers. It has not been easy by any means and even now, owning a bakery while teaching full-time has often been a struggle. For me, my brother keeps me going. He, too, was very creative. He was full of joy! I can still hear him screaming in the living room, “STAND UP AND MAKE SOME NOISE FOR YOUR MIAMI HEAT!!!” Dying from a seizure at 10 years old means that he never got the opportunity to work and make a name for himself. So, I carry his name and legacy forward and we’re able to be creative together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whew, should I really share EVERYTHING? There are some places that I want to be my little secret…

Of course, I have to take them to South Beach (even though people who are actually from Miami NEVER go down there). Prime Italian is the restaurant to go to there. We also have to go to Miami Subs Grill for a gyro. We have to take in the views from Vizcaya and Key Biscayne, and then catch a Heat game downtown. We’ll leave it at that. Can’t give away all the secrets.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout starts with my father – Pierce Harris. He’s the only reason I have this bakery, why I know how to make a Vanilla Wafer Cake and why I have the courage to go on this journey. I also have to shoutout my brother for making such a positive impact on me during his short time on this Earth. My family, in general, has always been a great motivator for me. My bakery is truly a family enterprise and I know I couldn’t do this without their help.

Website: http://christophersbakery.com

Instagram: christophers_bakery

Twitter: chrisbakerydfw

Facebook: chrisbakerydfw