A sampling board is offered to customers before choosing bread or pastries.[/caption]
The bakers at Great Harvest Bread Company wake up at 4 a.m. each day to start rolling out bread dough that was prepared the night before.
First opened in The Woodlands nearly 15 years ago by original owners Marty and Deb Fox, the bakery has consistently offered customers a variety of breads, pastries and sweets with its own milled flour and homemade recipes.
Roberto Biassi, the current manager and owner, said the bakery is still providing the same fresh products while offering more variety than in the past.
“We haven’t changed anything from how the original owners had it, we’ve just made additions,” Biassi said. “Besides just making bread, we also offer coffees and have made a dining area available with chairs and tables.”
Biassi, who runs the bakery with his wife, took on the role of manager and owner in 2013.
He said the bakery in the Village of Sterling Ridge is loyal to what Great Harvest customers enjoy, but some of the products he carries come specifically from his background.
“I’m from Argentina, and so I’ve brought empanadas and other South American products to the menu,” he said. “We still keep the same philosophy of making everything fresh here and keeping the same products, but we’re open to try new things.”
The bakery offers several breads baked daily, including honey whole wheat, nine grain and white chocolate swirl, which Biassi said is a customer favorite.
The honey whole wheat bread features locally produced honey from Spring.
Fresh made bakery items are available as well, including muffins, scones and cookies.
Fridays are known as “Free Cookie Fridays,” where customers can receive a free cookie when they visit the bakery.
“We have sweet stuff, we have salty stuff, everything is fresh right here,” Biassi said. “We have good service, and we make stuff to make the customers happy.”
Making ‘Great’ bread
• Mill the flour overnight • Mix flour and let sit for two hours • After two hours, shape the flour • Let the flour rise for 30-40 minutes • Bake for certain time depending on size and quantity of mixture
Customer favorites
• White chocolate swirl bread-$6.75 • Honey whole wheat bread-$4.50
Argentine products
• Empanadas Argentinas-$2.50 (beef, chicken, spinach and tuna) • Sandwiches de miga-$8.50 (Argentine-style panninis) • Facturas Argentinas (Argentine-style pastries)-Prices subject to change
