Meet Myesha Harris | Owner & Baker
We had the good fortune of connecting with Myesha Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Myesha, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My grandmother’s signature cake was Red Velvet. It is our famous family recipe that is requested by many. I decided to get in the kitchen and learn all of her traditional recipes. I started selling cakes at my Dad’s job at the VA Medical Center during the Holidays. He would place a sign up sheet in the breakroom and I would get about 20 cakes to make. It soon became word of mouth that I was baking my grandmother’s red velvet cake and orders started rolling in making it a great side business.
I later teamed up with a local dairy farm, Danzeisen Dairy located in Laveen, AZ. I started selling cupcakes there every 1st Saturday of the month. Every month I would come up with at least 3 new flavors to try. It became a Cake Day sensation for the Laveen Community. I have been partners with Danzeisen Dairy now for 5 years.
There are not many bakeries in the South Mountain and Laveen area so our family decided to move forward and open a brick and mortar along South Central Avenue. It is adjacent to the new South Central Light Rail alignment. The location is perfect and will bring new customers and provide more accessibility to the bakery.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Civil Engineer for the City of Phoenix. I have been with the City for over 20 years. My current role is the Freeway Program Administrator and the Arizona Department of Transporation liaision responsible for the linkage between state and federal agencies and other municipalities. I work directly with ADOT’s major projects team managing local, collector and arterial roadway systems adjacent to the regional highways.
My skills and love for baking comes from STEM concepts. Elements of math, science and technology are found in the most simpliest recipes. Math shows up in many aspects of cooking and baking. That is why I think baking came natural for me.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Favorites spots in the City of Phoenix is downtown Phoenix and Uptown Phoenix. There are a lot of fine urban dining and great walkable and bike routes for outdoor activity. My favorite walk or cycle retreat is at the Grand Canal. It is a 12-mile continuous, multi-use recreational trail system along the Grand Canal. 
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family is my favorite story. I am thankful for my grandmother, Thelma Guyton. She layed out our families foundation and traditions and our family continues with her traditions. She gave me the encouragement to take the lead in baking for the family and at the same time I gained a stronger relationship with her. I bake for everyone now and it is rewarding to share her recipes on so many family and friends tables.
Website: info@redvelvetrecipes.com
Instagram: @redvelvetrecipes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redvelvetrecipesllc
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
