Christiana Francis, founder of Dainties by Chris, proudly showcases the passion and elegance behind her home-based baking business.
Image: Supplied
For Christiana Francis, baking is about much more than satisfying a sweet tooth. It is about authenticity, quality, and making people happy.
The 51-year-old Centenary Park, Phoenix resident has transformed a lifelong love of baking into Dainties by Chris, a home-based business that has grown from supplying friends and family to serving customers as far afield as Johannesburg.
Her journey into entrepreneurship began three years ago when retrenchment became a reality.Francis had spent much of her working life in administration, including roles as a debtors and creditors clerk and accounts officer.
Having worked for only three companies, she says she always spearheaded the positions she held.
When she realised retrenchment was on the cards, she already had a plan."I knew my back-up plan in my head was not to go back to working for someone, but for myself," she says.
After taking a few months to rest, Francis began exploring the idea of starting her own business. Although she initially wondered if she was too old to begin again, she believes the opportunity came at the right time and gives thanks to God for guiding her towards a new chapter.
She started slowly, selling to close friends and family who already knew and enjoyed her baking.
This year, she expanded her efforts through advertising and social media, bringing new customers to Dainties by Chris.
Her passion for baking, however, goes back much further.Since her Home Economics days at school, Francis has enjoyed creating baked treats and remembers the pride she felt taking something she had made home to her parents."I should have gone to culinary school," she jokes.
Her first product for Dainties by Chris was her much-loved butter biscuits, which she has been baking throughout her adult life.
She says she has never been satisfied with the butter biscuits she has found elsewhere, a sentiment that has shaped her approach to business."Being authentic is my motto," she says.
Francis refuses to compromise on quality by using substitutions simply to reduce costs.
While affordability can be a challenge when customers compare prices, she believes a quality product should remain true to what it promises.Her commitment extends beyond the baking itself.
She follows up with customers after their orders to ensure they are happy with their purchases.
"For me, growth means more orders, which means happy tummies," she says. "Making people happy is always my first go-to."Her butter biscuits and cupcakes are among her most popular products, and she has recently ventured into making full cakes.
Running the business from home requires dedication and efficiency, particularly on busy days.
Her family has fully embraced the journey, even if that sometimes means takeaways for supper. They also get to enjoy leftovers and the occasional baking breakage.
"They are my biggest supporters," she says.Francis's ambition is to see Dainties by Chris eventually supplying retailers with a quality product that stands out. She wants consumers to taste the difference, particularly when it comes to products labelled as butter biscuits.
It is this same passion for authentic taste that inspired the naan khatai recipe she has chosen to share.
Francis loves Indian sweetmeats and treats, particularly the aroma of cardamom. She had often admired the naan khatai biscuits sold in shops, but was never completely satisfied with their taste.She began making them at home for Christmas and everyday treats, developing her own perfected version in the process.
For Francis, the recipe represents the philosophy behind her business: careful preparation, quality ingredients, and a genuine desire to give people something they will enjoy.
From a schoolgirl proudly taking her baking home to her parents to an entrepreneur building a business on her own terms, Francis's journey is a reminder that an unexpected setback can sometimes become the beginning of a new chapter.
A tempting batch of Christiana Francis’ homemade naan khatai biscuits, prepared from her own recipe and baked with an emphasis on authentic taste and quality.
Image: Supplied
Recipe – Naan Khatai Biscuits
By Christiana Francis
Ingredients:
1/3 to 1/2 cup ghee 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup flour 1/3 cup gram flour 2 TBL semolina 1/2 tsp cardamom powder 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp yoghurt (if dough is dry) Almonds
Method:
