It was the age-old story. Boy meets girl. Girl shares her unrelenting need for chocolate. Boy satisfies that need. They also fell in love, but that only sweetened the deal.

Chris Misener is a professionally trained chef and baker. After his tasty education at Le Cordon Bleu Austin, he did stints in various restaurants. While he enjoyed searing massive steaks and smoking fall-off-the-bone BBQ (it was Texas, after all), his heart belonged elsewhere. To his wife, yes – but also to the alluring world of baked goods. Bread, scones, cakes, brownies, pies, mousse – it didn’t matter, so long as he had his hands in the flour, he was content.

Catherine Misener is a professionally trained consumer of chocolate. Trust us, it takes years of intensive training and ain’t always pretty. She also has experience as a caterer and kitchen manager (and a college instructor, but that’s neither here or there). Early on in life she realized she either had to become a chef or marry one. Ahem.

Together, they are deda’s bakery.

deda’s bakery was first opened in Ann Arbor, Michigan, thanks to the love and support of Chris’ father – Terry Misener. Goods were baked, treats were shared, and their business thrived. Sadly, Terry passed away in 2007. Eventually, the Miseners decided to move to the Pacific Northwest, a place Terry claimed was one of the best places to live. He was right. And, he will be forever missed.