Meet Chris Mclaurin | Baker and Chef

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

Hi Chris, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I never felt like a creative kid. I wasn’t a stand out in any of the traditional artistic mediums you’re exposed to growing up. My singing hurts ears and I can’t draw a straight line to save my life – but I’ve always loved to cook. It took me a long time to realize that cooking was my creative outlet. After undergrad, and a degree in international affairs, I realized that I loved cooking enough to try it professionally. For me, working in a field that is also how I express myself, is extremely rewarding. I get to do what I love every day with the goal of bringing a little joy to someone’s day.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lutra is a cafe and bakery coming to Durham and the Triangle. We are currently doing regular weekly pop-ups while we look for a brick and mortar location. We focus on sweet and savory buns and will offer breakfast and lunch once we have a permanent home. At our heart we aim to make craveable food that’ll put a smile on your face. We truly believe our motto, that there’s joy in every bun and bite!

Lutra is here through the support of so many people. Friends, family, and amazing professional mentors have encouraged us along the way. Starting with pop-ups and a more limited menu has meant getting to test and refine our offerings and really come to find what guests are looking for.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When we travel we set our itinerary by the coffee we want to drink and the treats we want to eat. All the other sightseeing is generally just to fill the in between times.

Mornings are for bagels at Isaac’s, donuts at Monuts, brunch at Rose’s or Chenni. Coffee at Cocoa Cinnamon, Perfect Lovers, or Montwood. Lunch rotates between Ideal’s, Lakewood Social, Vimala’s and Toast. In those in between hours before dinner grab a drink and tinned fish at Alley 26, post up at the Queeny’s bar, or get a glass of wine at Louella. So many great dinner options – Gocciolina, Poole’s Diner, Tesoro, Asian Kitchen, Ajja, Hutchin’s, Pick a vibe or cuisine and the Triangle will deliver.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents and grandmothers were all great cooks. From southern standards like chicken and rice or braised collards to finer fare like caviar and truffles – they each showed me how their love of a good meal was really about care for others and bringing people together. I’ll always remember ‘my step stool’ which I would drag around the kitchen behind my grandmother, learning how to make things like biscuits and fried chicken and gleaning life lessons along the way.

Website: https://lutrabakery.com

Instagram: lutrabakery