Who is The Bake Happening?
The Bake Happening is owned and operated by me, Andrea de Gortari, with the help of my husband, Ryan. I am a first-generation Mexican American queer woman born and raised in Houston with pronouns of She/Her/They.
I find joy in all things spooky and have a special obsession with tattoos, cats, mid-century modern styles, tiki culture, rock n roll and soul music. In my time away from the bakery, I enjoy watching crap TV, travelling and exploring new cities, visiting family in Mexico City, eating snacks with friends and drinking fancy cocktails. I, personally, am dairy-free which is why I always have vegan options for everyone!
A very notable accomplishment: I competed and WON Christmas Cookie Challenge, season 6, on the Food Network in 2022. As someone who is very private and does not embrace the spotlight, this was really huge for me!
What is The Bake Happening?
The Bake Happening is a home-based bakery operating under the Texas Cottage Food Law specializing in custom cakes, decorated cookies and themed dessert boxes for certain holidays.
Operating as a one-woman show (plus husband), we do book up quickly, so we recommend 2-4 weeks notice for all custom orders. While we aren’t labeled a vegan bakery, we are known to offer some of the best vegan pastry options in the city!
At The Bake Happening, we believe in equality and justice among the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, and will use our platform to uplift those around us and raise funds for the causes we believe in.
The Bake Happening is located in the Montrose/Museum District in Houston, Texas. When you place an order with us, an address for pick-up will be given at that time.
We do offer delivery in and around Houston (for a fee) as well.
Where is The Bake Happening?
The Bake Happening started MANY years ago, as a side hustle and an outlet for my creative freedom. I've been baking professionally since 2006 at various bakeries and restaurants around Houston and surrounding areas.
I worked my way up from pastry cook to head decorator and recipe developer to head pastry chef, all while doing cakes and cookies from home.
The Bake Happening really took off in 2020 when I was let go from my main job. I started baking to pay my bills and survive and this lil business just took off from there!
When is The Bake Happening?
Why is The Bake Happening?
Long story short:
I bake stuff and I make things because stuff tastes good and things look pretty.
Long story long:
My baking journey goes way back to when I was a kid. I grew up watching my mom cook and run her catering business, La Casita. Good food was never lacking in our house. I had an insatiable sweet tooth as a kid, but aside from her amazing flans and pralines, my mother didn't specialize in desserts. I started baking in high school for friends and family, often taking over bake sales at school just so I could have an outlet for my need to bake.
I attended the Culinary Institute Lenotre right out of high school and completed their baking program. Following graduation, I worked at a handful of bakeries, decorating cookies, icing cakes and making 'zerts. I fell in love with decorated cookies and cakes from the start. I had always enjoyed painting, and this gave me a new medium to work with.
I continued to work at some pretty high-volume bakeries, as head decorator and recipe developer, while also starting my side hustle, which would later be known as The Bake Happening. The issue with working for someone else, is that you don't always have creative freedom with your work. You're usually required to stick within certain guidelines, and let's be honest here, I cannot be contained! My little side hustle was thriving, and my creative outlet was filled for a while.
A big turning point in my career came when I started working at Revival Market. I was introduced to farm fresh ingredients and got to work with some amazing people. It let me see baking in a different light, which I'll always be grateful for. After working as their pastry chef for a couple years, I moved onto a Heights area bakery, where I continued my head chef journey. Business was thriving and for the first time in a long time, I stopped my baking side hustle to put everything I had into this bakery.
Then, 2020 happened and like a lot of people, I was let go from my job. After a couple months of being a sad blob, I picked up a pastry bag and started up my side hustle again. Business started pouring in and I never looked back.
For 14 years, I've put in countless hours working in non-ideal environments for not great pay. I've met a lot of incredible people along the way, but I've also worked for others who put profits over people.
With The Bake Happening, I've created a space for myself to be truly authentic where I can create my own hours and rules, and I don't think I could ever turn back from that. What started as a side hustle MANY years ago, has now become my main source of income, and I couldn't have done this without the support of so many of you!
If you ever see me out in public, be sure to say hi! I love meeting all of you. (If you ever see me out enjoying pizza or something dairy heavy, please don't talk to me. Decisions were made and regrets are soon to follow.)