Houston – Round Top might be a small town, but it’s home to a big heart and plenty of pie. Tara Royer Steele, the woman behind the beloved Royer’s Pie Haven, is taking her story nationwide with her new cookbook, Keep Your Fork. There’s Pie, already a bestseller on Amazon and featured in The New York Times.
If you’ve ever stepped into Royer’s Pie Haven, you know it’s more than just a bakery. It’s a colorful but cozy gathering spot where faith, food, and family come together in the sweetest way possible. “The vibe is funky and eclectic — it’s me,” “I don’t hold anything back. It’s a lot of junk because it’s from Round Top — but it’s good junk!”
Tara’s story began when her family moved from Katy to Round Top in 1987. At just 12 years old, she started working at her family’s restaurant. What began as a leap of faith quickly became a lifelong calling. “Leaving Houston for Round Top was a culture shock,” she said, but added that the community wrapped its arms around her and her family.
Faith has always been a major part of Tara’s journey. It’s something she’s now woven into her writing and recipes. “For a long time, I didn’t feel ready to share my story,” she said. “You can’t write from a place of bitterness. Once I did the work to heal, I could finally share my story from a place of encouragement and joy.”
Her book features 75 recipes — 50 sweet and 25 savory — each tied to memories, lessons, and a lot of heart. Tara’s current favorite? “The peanut butter raspberry pie kind of has my heart right now,” she admitted.
Beyond baking, Tara continues to build community through Gather & Grace, her Monday night family dinners. What began as a way to cope after her mother’s passing in 2020 has turned into a local tradition.
As for holiday season prep, Royer’s Pie Haven is already in full swing. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Tara’s team bakes anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 pies. “It’s a lot for our little 400-square-foot bakery, but it’s all made with love,” she said.
From community dinners to cookbook signings, Tara proves that when you lead with faith and flavor, there’s always room for another slice of pie.