There’s a hidden gem in Pinellas Park home to some of the Burg’s best baked goods. Chef and The Baker is the passion project of a duo you may have already seen on TV, even if you didn’t know about their bakery and café at 4521 107^th Circle North.

Chef Rosana Rivera is best known for Beating Bobby Flay on the Food Network with her beloved empanadas, while Chef Ricardo Castro was featured in the Disney+ Foodtastic series. Together, they opened Baker and The Chef, bringing their love of French cuisine and pastries to life.

However, part of what keeps Chef and The Baker a hidden gem is that you can only stroll on in two days a week. Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 2 pm, they host their pop-up bakery, allowing hungry locals to come in, browse, and get coffee and fresh-baked goodness right on the spot. Otherwise, they are available for pickup and delivery Monday-Thursday, primarily focused on wholesale.

The stars of the lineup are the empanadas, croissant donuts, and breakfast sandwiches made with fresh-baked artisan bread. The empanadas come in beef, chicken or vegan varieties, while the delectable croissant donuts come in a variety of flavors, including Nutella, guava, and cinnamon sugar.

Of course, that isn’t all they do. They also create standard croissants, muffins, cheesecakes, morning buns, mallorcas, and some incredibly tempting cookies. The OCCPB cookie in particular has our eye – oatmeal, chocolate chip and peanut butter all in one cookie. We’ll take a box, please.

The weekend pop-ups showcase breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and a wide variety of pastries, including some rotating seasonal creations. Learn more and place online orders at chefandthebaker.com, or follow them on Instagram.