A Wilmington television news reporter is blending what she calls her “Dutch/Yankee” roots with Southern tastes and Front Street Brewery signature beers for a new baking company.

Casey Roman, full-time WECT-TV special projects reporter and reporter coach for new recruits, began Rebel Baking Company this spring. Bacon beer peanut brittle; stout beer pretzels; spiced, beer-glazed croissants named Cinnassants; and jalapeno cheddar beer cornbread are among desserts, breads and pastries Roman produces.

She has also showcased super-fudge, cayenne-spiked brownies; half peanut butter/half dark fudge chocolate chip cookies; and custom “Crass Cakes” with fun messages such as “I tolerate you” on a heart-shaped cake and “May you live long enough…to repent” on a birthday cake.

On-site sales begin with the May 17 opening of the seasonal Carolina Beach Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 4 at Carolina Beach Lake Park. Meantime, Roman takes special orders at [email protected].

“I get the best of both worlds: shooting stories during the week, slinging dough on the weekend,” Roman said.

Although Roman is known for her WECT reporting, she said, “Baking is in my blood.” During the Depression, her great-grandfather brought his baking to New Jersey, where he operated The Sunshine Bakery in Boonton, N.J.

Roman left Wilmington for a time, but returned this year in search of a shared kitchen to help trim bakery start-up costs.

“I've seen far too many food businesses turn into empty storefronts in a matter of months, after making the massive investment of outfitting kitchen space,” Roman said. 

“When I tell people I have started a baking business, I think they assume my capital expenditures include a few pink-colored spatulas and a cookie sheet or two, but the reality is, even a used commercial mixer costs about $3,000 to $6000...and let's not forget several convection ovens, refrigerators, freezers, speed racks, etcetera, etcetera. With a shared space, I can drastically cut capital costs and grow as I go.”

Roman has yet to find the shared space, but regulations allow her to prepare her inventory at home.

Click here to find Roman’s sweets.