During Covid, you remember when there wasn't much to do at all...outside your house we signed up for one of the virtual Yelp cooking classes that were offered. One with the two chefs that are behind a Chef & The Baker who also took on the one and only Bobby Flay and WON! The glass was to teach us how to make their signature empandas, which was the menu itme that took Booby down BUT, they weren't giving away all their secrets. We had to pick up specific items from them and make the rest at home following their direction. Their brick and motar location seemed to be back and forth on being open from what I had read for a while but finally I was able to be in the area when I saw it was open and I raced to check it out personally. For a bakery, I got there late and when shops are normally closing up. The items were limited and the staff was extremely friendly andd then both owners walked in and greeted everyone! I did geek out a little and stop them to ask for a photo and say that I had been following their success since I took their glass. It was great to find out that they were down to earth and willing to talk to their patrons. Looking forward to more things from them but I am not sure they can impress Ben more than their dipping sauce for their empanadas, which she gave me some extra of and I have frozen for the next time we make them!! read more

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Was really looking forward to some fresh baked goodies but they never opened at 9am. I got there a few mins early, hung out with the fabulous resident Peacock & the adorable resident kitty, all 3 of us very hangry... I waited around a few mins till after 9am taking photos, but they never opened. If your hours are 9am you should be open at 9am. Very disappointed. Won't return. read more

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What a treat for Pinellas locals! I'm so glad I could finally make it here. Heads up, they're currently only open Saturdays and Sundays at this location. But if you're able to make it - you're in for a wonderful experience. The bakers from the kitchen took care of us. They provided such kind and helpful service! We asked for recommendations and were provided with enough detail to choose what best suit us. We got the Nutella croissant, beef empanada, chicken empanada, and cinnamon sugar croissant donut. These pastries are DELICIOUS and high quality. You can always tell the difference between fresh and homemade pastries versus processed. At Chef & the Baker, you can expect the former. We are so glad to have such a unique and high quality bakery in our area. Highly recommend! read more

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I wanted to love this place so much. We were waiting to come here for so long and were super excited after reading all the good reviews. We ordered a Cuban sandwich and some empanadas and it was just sad. The cuban is in a hot dog bun with minimal filling, mildly seasoned dry porl, and a deli meat. The empanadas tasted like frozen premade, half empty, and super dry. Maybe it's a personal preference, but we're definitely not coming back unless this changes. Love and support small local businesses but not when the experience is so disappointing. read more

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Our curiosity to locate a "beat Bobby Flay" winner took us on scavenger hunt to locate this elusive bakery. Well hidden in an industrial park near the back of a commercial building, it took us a couple of attempts to locate it, but not without a call to ask their whereabouts. Two picnic tables greeted us at the door and the inside counter was small with a few pastries displayed. The baked goods were good. Understand they provide pastries for airport dining. This is not a destination location but if you're looking for something unique, want the notoriety of a food network participant (winner), take a drive through a warehouse park and treat yourself to a Bobby Flay competitor read more

Chef & The Baker - Chocolate croissant, cuban empanadas, strawberry kouign amann - Bakeries Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

Not Impressed I've seen a few articles in the Tampa Bay Times about this bakery and their restaurant in Tampa. The Pinellas Park location is nearer, so I went there on a Saturday morning. I can't say that I was impressed. This location is in a factory park and the customer area is a small space in the front. I'm a huge bakery fan and love pastry. This was only OK. I tried the Morning Bun and their Croissant Donut and both were nothing special. I also found them to be quite expensive. The morning bun was $6.00 and the donut was $5.00. This might have been fine in a café setting where overhead might justify the price. Here? No way. The only place to sit was outside at one of two picnic tables with puddles of water on the seats and table tops and surrounded by dead plants in knocked over planters. Other bakeries, like Frida's in Largo, have nice indoor and outdoor seating in pleasant settings at better prices. I won't go back to Chef & the Baker. read more

Chef Rosana and Chef Ricardo have made some amazing pastries that should be in your belly immediately. I am always interested in trying new things, so the first treat I tasted was the Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie. It was moist and had a TON of chocolate chips buried inside. Other favorite goodies in this box were the Cro-Nut, Nutella Croissant, and the Morning Bun, though everything was very tasty. I highly recommend this establishment :) Flavor: 5/5 Variety: 5/5 Service: 5/5 OVERALL: 5/5 read more

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Super friendly staff in this little spot located inside The Hall on Franklin. I had never been to the Hall, and it's not easily identifiable from the outside. But your GPS will get you there. Once inside, Chef & Bakery is tucked away in the back corner. They have so many options to choose from, and everything looks pristine! I definitely want to come back and try some other goodies! read more

Chef & The Baker - Yelp Elite Event - Yelpers Dozen - Bakeries Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

You had me at "Pastries"!!! There is nothing better than amazing pastries. There are many places that make really good pastries in the Tampa Bay Area. Thanks to Yelp I have found my go to pastry place. Chef & The Baker is located in a really nice place... the Hall on Franklin. In this place you will be able to enjoy various food places and top it off with fresh pastries from Chef & The Baker. My favorite.... The Cronut. It's flakey. Tasty. Soft. And so amazing. Also the variety of crescents that I certain everyone will enjoy. Give them a try. Come back and let me know what you think. I know you will love them just as much as I do. read more

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Picked up my #Yelpelite baker's dozen yesterday! First off, this place is adorable and I definitely want to go for a full meal (and of course top it off with a cronut). So far, we've munched on everything and it is all delightful. I'm thankful we got three mini cronuts because that's my favorite hands down. So very good!!! Best I've ever had. I'd say the rest of the treats are great too, but not to the cronut level haha. Overall, I'd come back! And I'm definitely game for a fun baker's dozen treat like this where you get to try so many fun things! #BryYelps : I'd like to say that the cronut was a challenge to eat when you have only four teeth so I gave it back to mom, but the sugar I was happy to lick off! It soothed me on the late night car ride home to St. Pete. Mom said I couldn't try the other things so guess I'll have to be more demanding next time because it all looked amazing and my parents sure did love them. -one year old read more

Chef & The Baker - Bakeries Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

I picked up the baker's dozen (13) mini pastries for a sampling of their baked goods. So far, everything was delicious! . One exception was the vegan chocolate chip cookie (wasn't bad, just not my taste) but I'm not a vegan. Located on the far corner of the Hall on Franklin... They have an assortment of different pastries to order. Enjoy! read more

Chef & The Baker - A list of what's in the box! - Bakeries Near Me - Clearwater, Florida

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Yummy pastries in a cute stall inside the Hall on Franklin. This is for the #Yelper's Dozen event. I was given a box containing a baker's dozen (13) mini pastries to try. The pastries were adorable and tasty. My favorites were the cronuts and also the plain Kouign Amann. Just sweet enough, nice flaky texture. My kids loved the flavored croissants and Kouign Amann and cookies. The staff was super nice, and the regular-sized pastries on display were beautiful. I'm sure that Chef & The Baker will make a sweet ending to many meals at the Hall. read more

I just had to jump on here real hard real quick to tell all you losers about how Gah-d*mn De-licious 'Chef & The Baker's' baked good are! You know when you eat something so wickedly good it gives you that aggressive affection, like you want to punch a koala. Same. Their Guava(stuffed). Croissant. Donut. makes me want to give a baby lemur to a pack of wolves & watch them grow up together. It is So Good! It's warm, warmmmm, out of the oven warmmm, with the guava filling spilling out between the soft buttery deep fried donut croissant layers. My god. I also attached pictures of their Nutella filled croissant which is also served out-of-the-oven warm & your fingers sink into it the minute you pick it up - it is that delicate & fresh. But the GUAVA CROISSANT DONUT. I am your sign from God telling you to try it. He told me to tell you to try it. He was very specific about it. read more

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I thought we were stopping for coffee but turns out their lunch was just as amazing! Cookies were wonderful as well. Will be back!

This bakery/other foods restaurant is the best by far. The baked goods are absolutely fantastic, as well as the empanadas. Once you try it, you are hooked. The service is 5 star, as well. There was a glitch on Uber for a promo they were doing. I called them to let them know and after the promo ended they let me know I could use the promo being I ordered after it was over. How many restaurants would do that or even take the time to even contact a single customer to advise them of such a nice surprise. Not very many. I Chef and the Baker!!!! Excellent food and great people. As far as ambiance goes I haven't been there yet but when I do there will be a review. Kudos to this restaurant. read more

We traveled 45 minutes to try the famous empanadas (and cookies, and other pastries) that beat Bobby Flay. Pricing to us is never an issue for us foodies to try something worthwhile. We went to the bakery and were greeted by a very nice and welcoming young lady who was very knowledgeable about the products. We observed staff bringing out food for a large catering order and waited patiently for our empanadas to be made. We got our order and drove back home. Tried the empanadas on the way home... Tried the pastries and cookies at home. Warming in the oven or not warming them.. it's the same. They were dry and lacked the fluffiness and flavor that we thought pastries had. We're not making another 90 minute track back anytime soon and perhaps it was an "off day". When we're in the area soon we shall try other things we didn't get. read more

Amazing spot!! Not your typical location, empanadas are awesome! Cheeseburger, and chicken are my favorites. Sourdough bread .Hidden gem, food made with love! read more

I purchased the citrus tart which was tangy sweet and topped with the smoothest meringue. We also purchased the chocolate bomb with the red glaze delightful chocolate mousse with a crisp vanilla cookies shortbread crust. You must try the small chocolate cream pie tart smooth chocolate cream fantastically light meringue with that cookie crust. All the pastries are small enough that you could eat it by yourself but big enough that we ended up sharing it with two people. Also tried the croissants they are not the typical flaky French type they are more a chewy type with a smooth light cinnamony butter filling. All these pastries are delicious, fresh made, and beautiful to look at what a gorgeous presentation! read more

I love that there is a French styled baker in hall on Franklin. I love their cronuts and delicious pastries that aren't overly sweet. Although hall on Franklin is closing. I hope we can still enjoy their delicious treats in midtown. read more

This eatery is located in a food hall on Franklin St in Tampa FL. I decided to order dessert to go from the server. The Cronut was terribly stale and the mini cheesecake was old and tasteless. I plan on going to the food hall again but I doubt I'll be trying anything from Chef & Baker again. read more