Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Bliss and Stacy Gore.
Hi Liz and Stacy, thanks for sharing your story with us! To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our dedication to local food, serving our community, and creating memories is the foundation of First Bite Bakeshop. We met while working together in a friend’s kitchen and quickly bonded over a love of great food, family, and living a life of service. After the business we were both working for permanently closed due to COVID-19 related challenges, we both struggled with what would come next. We had many late night discussions and planning sessions, and came together with the desire to channel our love of local food and fun into a one-stop bakeshop – and First Bite Bakeshop was born! Launching a business in the middle of a pandemic, came with a unique set of challenges, but we believed in our ability to adapt and be flexible while staying true to our vision. We launched our business on September 22, 2020 (not coincidentally American Women’s Business Day).
In the months following, our home-based cottage bakery quickly picked up steam and turned commercial. First Bite Bakeshop started selling our wares at not one, but two markets in Spring of 2021, Celina and Lavon Farms. Shortly after, we were approached by renowned local food hub, Profound Foods to be a preferred vendor. And three months later, we have been accepted as the first official business of their Kitchen Incubator Program, giving us access to a larger commercial space, mentors, and the ability to scale our wholesale sales and ship nationwide.
We are committed to making a positive impact in our local food community from your very first bite! All of our bakes start with Texas grown and milled flours from Barton Springs Mill. We also support our local farming community by purchasing ingredients such as Duck Eggs, Chicken Eggs, Dairy, Herbs, Honey, Fruits, and Veggies from our local farmers. This practice directly impacts our local farmers and producers and keeps $68 of every $100 spent in our local community, contributing to a thriving local economy. Additionally, we donate time and bakes to our local non-profits that combat our unhoused population. We think everyone deserves quality food, no matter what their housing state.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, after the first 3 months of business we decided to rebrand. We took the entire month of January 2021 off from baking and redeveloped our name, logo and web site. During that same time period we brought on a third partner that did not end up working out. Not to mention the ever changing concerns with COVID in the food industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Stacy – From college to cubical to children to cooking, I am passionate about family and friends, and have a zest for life! I developed my culinary skills cooking and baking with my mother and grandmother and for my four children, extended family, and friends. I love to read, taste, and search out the best way to pack the most flavor into any dish. I also love creating season blends, flavored sugars and smoked salts and spices. My style of cooking and baking is elegant, clean and yet very simple.
Liz – A passionate baker ever since I was big enough to hold a spoon and sit on the counter beside my Grandmother, there’s never been a time when I didn’t bake. Though I’ve baked for family and friends, and commercially and catered, I’m still fascinated by all that can be made with a few simple ingredients. I love that having our own bakery allows us to source hyper local ingredients and develop strong relationships with our local farmers, producers, and other bakers! I specialize in creating unique bakes with local ingredients. My style leans toward an old world European techniques with a Texas flavor twist, like our Sweet and Sour Grapefruit Cookie, our Cornbread Madelines, and our Texas Bourbon Caneles. (But I never get tired our Chocolate Chunk Cookies, because after 20 years of developing my recipe, it’s one of my favorites!)
What does success mean to you?
Success is being able to wake up every morning doing what we love and knowing that we do has a positive impact on our local community.
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@firstbitebakeshop.com
- Website: Www.firstbitebakeshop.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/firstbitebakeshop?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstbitebakeshop/
Image Credits
Liz Bliss
