Chris Duke

Outside the Oven Chris Duke

Have you ever dreamed of starting a business to pursue a passion? Ever think about how to connect the dots between everyday life lessons, business principles and finding that sense of fulfillment? Ever meet someone doing something that at first glance seems totally out of character with their education and work history and wonder, 'how did they get here'?


Chris Duke is a husband, a father, an entrepreneur, a technologist and a voracious learner. Chris enjoyed a long career in a variety of technology oriented businesses with a final stint at a dot com company that soared and then fell back to earth. In 2003 he stepped off the bus to start and run a company in a field where he had little to no business experience - gourmet foods.

As a mentor and speaker to various groups, Chris is passionate about sharing what he has learned along the way. In 2008 he started a blog for Anna's Gourmet Goodies at OutsideTheOven.com. He shared stories about the big things and the little things in life, seeking to connect with readers on an emotional level and inspire others to think about their journey.

This book is Chris' curated collection of stories that will make readers smile, sometimes shed a tear and always put the book down and walk away with something to think about.

We live in a world with more data than we can possibly consume. How-to lists are everywhere and answers to questions are always available in the palm of your hand, just ask your phone. And yet, it is still a great story that moves us to action. We change when we are moved emotionally, and that is the goal of this book.

By sharing how everyday life events can transform the focus of a business for the good, Outside the Oven will help inspire and challenge you to find ways to help others with what you've learned along the way. To think about your experiences differently and spend a little time outside the oven.