In 2003 an aspiring culinary apprentice and a young banquet chef met while working at the River Oaks Country Club during a clay court tennis tournament. Both graduates of The Art Institute with degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, they both had a love for good food, and soon, a love for each other. More than seventeen years of marriage later, they have six children, Sophia (15), Jacob (13), Zoe (11), Giana (10), and twins Jonah and Evangeline (6) all of whom they homeschool in a self-described; “incredible journey of love, patience, and devotion.”
Michael, a native Houstonian, and Ana Cristina, originally from Quito, Ecuador, take all of their culinary experience, and education and combine it with a passion for family and community. They always knew if they ever had the opportunity to bake professionally, they would offer their community the same nutritious bread they love to make at home. We sat down with them to get to know this local family and learn about their passion for baking.
What is your baking philosophy?
We believe everyone deserves better bread and to learn the #GospelOfRealBread. Our baking philosophy is creating baked goods that capture the rich, wholesome goodness in wheat. There is an immense nutritional density present in the grain itself!
What’s wrong with conventionally refined wheat?
The sifting process removes the bran and germ, making it void of dense nutritional value. I often think about how God made this perfect food, the staff of life, and it's so demonized and–yes–for good reason because over time, refined flour can cause issues! We source our wheat from a time-trusted company, Azure Standard, which offers a large array of organic products including many types of grain that can be self-milled.
What else do you offer at Anthem Bakery Collective?
Our Original Family Sandwich Loaf: I simply love the process. It can be so therapeutic. We have a saying that ‘baking and cooking are love made visible.’ It's personal, it's intimate, and it’s even spiritual. Some of the sweetest moments with the Lord have been while shaping and baking our daily bread, our sandwich loaf.
Cinnamon Rolls: These rolls are so stinking good! They are rich, yet not overly sweet but nutritiously dense and full of yummy cinnamon flavor. We are purposeful to not make overly sweet baked goods. Our goal is to create a cinnamon roll that would be delectable yet not give you a sugar coma. Our cinnamon rolls are some of our most popular items.
Shortbread cookies: Not all white flour is made equal. We think that in moderation some white flour is okay. Our gourmet shortbread cookies are made with organic all-purpose flour and they are outstanding! I’ve worked diligently to incorporate edible flowers, herbs, fruits, and spices, and we’ve accomplished a delicious cookie that is not too sweet yet, full of flavor. Our Valentine's Day-inspired cookies are made with edible organic roses and cardamom, flavored with strawberries with dark chocolate.
Any advice for new bakers?
Don't overthink it! Trial and error are inevitable but the process can be enjoyable, yummy, and fun! Include your littles, and your not-so-littles as well. Making memories with them will last a lifetime over a bowl of batter.
What are your hopes for the future?
Plans are in motion to start offering baking and milling workshops. This has been requested and it's something we are very excited about! Our biggest prayer and biggest obstacle, right now, is finding the ideal location to hold the workshops.
Shop Anthem Bakery Collective online at AnthemCollectiveTx.com, and keep up workshop plans and see what’s baking on Instagram @anthembakerycollective and Facebook.com/AnthemBakeryCollective.