Meet Natalie Trimble | Baker & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Trimble and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I don’t think you have to be engaged on social media all the time in order to succeed. There’s a lot of pressure to respond instantly on instagram, for example, but I am more than an entrepreneur in this season. I’m a wife, a mom, and an employee. And my goal isn’t to be instafamous but to make delicous baked goods.

What should our readers know about your business?
Risata means laughter in Italian and it was in Italy that I really fell in love with bread. I love making people laugh, too, but that’s trickier than just making people smile with delicous food. My story is still being written, but at New Year’s 2020 I set a goal of selling at least 7 loaves and I was able to exceed that before I even setup Risata formally as my business. I’m thankful for that initial enthusiasm from friends. Trevor and Katlynn Sales from Brix Barbecue have been so supportive. In October they asked me to make cornbread to pair with their smoked chicken corn chowder during these cold months – such a fun and delicous honor. My biggest challenge is walking between the two opposing fears of failure and success. Failure because I don’t want to disappoint a customer. Success because I don’t want to overwhelm what my time and kitchen space are capable of handling. It’s the latter fear that really holds me back, but I’m working on it. Selling full loaves of bread still feels ballsy to me sometimes. It’s not like a cookie or even my sourdough crackers that I can quality control. So I’m trusting the ingredients and the process every time I hand someone a whole loaf. My shop has an item called The Proust which isn’t anything specific but is an open invitation for customers to describe something they miss and me to try to recreate it. Food and smells are such powerful memory holders. I love the challenge of giving someone a happy memory with some homebaked goods.

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?
I love recommending things to do in Fort Worth! I’d suggest starting in North Fort Worth at Boopa’s Bagel Deli. Their location is off the beaten path (and actually they supply almost every coffee shop in FW with goodies), but their variety is worth the trip. Next, I’d drive down to Mercantile Center Station to catch a downtown-bound train. From there a lot of fun is available without a car—it’s the best way to experience a new city. Your first stop will be North Side station. It’s a short mile to the Stockyards, where you can see longhorn out for their daily walk. There’s also a lot of fun shopping for western wear. Grab a bite to eat at Riscky’s or Love Shack (yes, Love as in Tim Love). Then, get back on the train to hit downtown. From there, you can ride Molly the Trolley to Sundance Square or to catch a bus to the museum district. I recommend the Amon Carter and the Kimbell. You’re probably hungry again, and there are a ton of delicous options by the museums (Righteous Foods, Fred’s Texas Cafe, or Paris 7th, depending on your mood). I’d say you should spend a whole day exploring the Near Southside, specifically South Main (SoMa). Grab breakfast at Hot Box Biscuit Club (I’m biased…I work there), then wander down to Roots Coffee on Bryan Avenue. They make all their syrups in house – my favorite drink is the Salted Mocha. Also, their chococlate cookies…bomb. Then get to walking. There are lots of murals to enjoy and a small park called The Skinny. Don’t miss Morgan Mercantile! They design everything in house and make a lot of merch for local businesses. If you’re lucky, their dog Scout will greet you, too. When you’re hungry again, grab lunch at Four Sisters, then dinner at Cannon Chinese Kitchen. Their happy hour menu is the best in Fort Worth (and so is their wallpaper!) Then go ahead and crash at Three Danes Inn. It’s adorable and cozy and on pandemic-free weekends, they serve a Danish breakfast. But if they’re booked, definitely swing by the Three Danes Bakery on a Friday or Saturday morning. Block a couple hours out to sit and sip some tea at Leaves while reading and not looking at your phone. They sell books and they don’t have wifi so it’s the perfect chance to sit still and unplug. Then go get a massage at Danette’s Oasis. Now you’re ready to walk down to Magnolia Avenue and keep eating. Grab dinner at Nonna Tata’s – but first! Grab a bottle of wine at Grand Cru wine bar and pick up some cups and cash, while you’re at it. Nonna is bring your own cups, wine and cash. Worth it. Grab a cupcake at Stir Crazy Baked Goods. Spend a few hours wandering around the Botanical Gardens and then hit up Zoli’s (award-winning pizza!), or trek over to Malai Kitchen in Clear Fork. Their jalapeno basil margarita is fantastic. And Brix Barbeque is only open weekends, but I recommend Sunday night’s Brix After Dark burgers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
FWFoodie aka Crystal Willars Vastine! Years ago, I asked her if I could be a writer for Fort Worth Foodie magazine. Through her I’ve been able to connect with so many local entrepreneurs … and I’ve also gotten to eat a lot of good food! In 2015, Crystal introduced me to Sarah Hooton, co-owner of Hot Box Biscuit Club. I started helping out with their popups 3 1/2 years ago and now work for the restaurant. Sarah and her business partner Matt Mobley, have both been encouraging and patient as I’ve grown in the kitchen. I can’t forget my husband, Travis, either. He’s been sidehustling as a woodworker for about six years, and he’s been saying, “go do it” since I mentioned the idea of a bakery.

Website: risata.square.site
Instagram: @risatabread

Image Credits
Brix Photography Natalie Trimble