Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis & Jessica Morris.
Hi Curtis & Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband, Curtis Morris, and I are the owners/operators of Bonfire Grill located at 425 W. Main Street, Tomball, Texas, 77375 in historic downtown Tomball. Bonfire is a from scratch, chef-driven, kitchen where more than 90% of all products at bonfire are locally sourced from several different small businesses. We create seasonal menus that utilize seasonal ingredients to create dishes that appeal to the flavor profile of the time of year. We carry over 140 bourbons & whiskeys and other various liquors. All of our craft cocktails are made from scratch, yes, all of our syrups are made in-house and juices are fresh squeezed. We are a veteran & family-owned and operated small business with our family history deeply rooted to the Tomball and surrounding areas.
Our concept starts with a simple idea, creating a place for friends to gather. Bonfire is a cozy location that delivers tantalizing dishes accompanied by an exquisite collection of scotch and whiskeys. Perfect for friends to meet up and grab a drink or enjoy a meal, all while sharing fond memories or telling epic tales.
Over the last several years we have worked diligently to move not only our personal business forward but our community as well. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic struck our nation hard especially the food industry as well as many other prominent industries within the great state of Texas. At the beginning of the shutdown, we chose to pivot our business model to still provide our community with much-needed resources, from home goods to groceries. Families could stop in and pick up pre-packaged meals to cook at home while the grocery shortage was at an all-time high. Additionally, we created an on-premise market every Sunday for local vendors to come to our location and set up a tent to promote their business and garner sales. It was our hope that during this time, we could create a community bond that stemmed from people helping people. Our market was free to anyone that wanted to attend as a customer or vendor. This market became the stepping stone for many people who, after losing their industry jobs, to find a way to create income in order to survive. Hosting this market for our community not only proved to be exactly what we wanted for everyone involved but it also helped us achieve a major goal in our lives as entrepreneurs, the ability to give back. It truly has been a blessing to us and our community as many people’s “side-hustle” became their newfound passion and career. We were truly grateful to be the beginning steps of those decisions for many of our vendors who have gone on to successfully make these huge career changes. As business owners, we share the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed through our ability to help our community and its charitable organizations.
Aside from Bonfire, we have several other concepts that we are also involved with. Additionally, Curtis is a leader within the Tomball Chamber of Commerce as a member of the Board of Directors. Jessica works for many different charitable organizations throughout the year to ensure that their mission goals are met and exceeded through her work with their committees and galas throughout the year. As a team, we work tirelessly to ensure that everyone around us in our community reaches the goals that they set out to achieve. Both Curtis and Jessica have eclectic backgrounds that span amongst many different industries from the culinary arts, to aviation, to entrepreneurial leadership roles, to the film industry and even military service. Curtis and Jessica have two children, McKenna (13), Lily Grace (seven months), and are expecting their 3rd child in March of 2023.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While all goals and aspirations have challenges along the way, we have faced any bumps in the road with sheer grit. We choose not to allow the little things over take our path to success. There are always struggles along the way especially in the world today as legislation, regulation, and laws are ever-changing but the best approach that has proved to be the key to success for us was to find a way to adapt and pivot as things shift. It has benefitted us time and time again by remaining flexible and finding new solutions to issues rather than to remain stagnant or give up when we are faced with a challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Curtis is a self-taught culinary chef. He has worked in this particular industry since he was in high school but really bloomed into the creative mastermind that he is roughly ten years ago. This is really prevalent in his dish creations at Bonfire Grill. Curtis’s palate is second to none when it comes to his creations. We pride ourselves on creating our dishes from scratch. Not only as a husband and wife team but as a culinary team, Jessica works with Curtis by providing tantalizing additions to his dishes with a focus on desserts for the restaurant. Jessica is a classically trained French pastry chef and works on menu items as well as custom desserts for the many events that are held throughout the month for Bonfire Grill. Seasonally, we host hand-curated menus for our wine dinners, which are completely different than our daily menu items. Additionally, we host whiskey dinners that fall under the same criteria, utilizing different distilleries and specialized menus that enhance the whiskey experience. We truly pride ourselves on our ability to create from scratch, utilize local resources, and create something in our town that is unmatched, all while attempting to improve community involvement and togetherness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonfiregrill.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonfiregrill425/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bonfiregrill425/
