Book Description

Cooking Up Memories One Meal at a Time brings you the heartwarming story and legendary recipes of Barbara Harris, founder of Celebrity Cafe and Bakery in Highland Park Village in Dallas, Texas. As a child of the Great Depression, Barbara's beginnings were humble, and she was often expected to cook for her three brothers as her single mother carried multiple jobs to provide for them. Later, as a young bride in America's postwar era, Barbara's family grew along with her love of cooking and baking. Picking up new techniques and recipes from family and friends, she gained confidence in cooking for larger groups, where her food was always a big hit. By day, Barbara worked as a bookkeeper, but she dreamed of opening a restaurant someday. That day came in 1979, when Barbara took the plunge and convinced a landlord to lease her a former restaurant space in San Antonio's ritzy Olmos Park neighborhood, and The Daisy Tea Room and Cookie House was born. With the help of her late husband, Bill, and plenty of family chipping in, Barbara's dream became reality. After growing the operation through new locations and brands for ten years in their hometown, Barbara and Bill were offered an opportunity to bring their concept to Dallas in Highland Park Village, one of the most prestigious retail locations in the country. It was there that Celebrity Cafe and Bakery became a part of the fabric of the neighborhood, expanded throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, and achieved institution status for its delectable made-from-scratch bakery offerings and classic American standards, all crafted daily from recipes that were handed down and perfected over four generations. In this exclusive collection, you will find all of the favorites that made Celebrity Cafe so popular, woven into the story of a strong Christian woman who had a dream and rose from humble roots to create a brand and legacy that positively impacted those that it touched.