Nestled between Verdant Tea and Shega Foods is an unassuming gem – a small Italian bakery where owner Assegedech “Asse” Kidane deftly creates crostatas with perfectly golden crusts, decorated layer and Bundt cakes, and Nutella-filled zeppole (Italian-style doughnuts).
Kidane learned her craft through many years spent immersed in the Italian culture. Growing up in Ethiopia, she attended a Catholic girls school that was run by Italian missionaries, which first introduced her to Italian traditions and cooking. Later, she and her husband Tesh Belayneh lived in Italy – first in Bologna and then in Rome. During those years she worked as a nanny and would bake for the families. She commented, “With them [Italians] you learn that you bake for Christmas, you bake for everything.”
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She first began selling her baked goods at farmers markets three years ago. Finding success, Kidane and her husband decided to find a permanent location and settled on their new space in Seward. Previously, she had been renting space at a local commercial kitchen, which she said was expensive and a challenge to schedule. She appreciates the freedom that comes with having her own commercial kitchen. “I never thought that I would have my own business, but one day it just clicked,” she said.
Rebecca’s Bakery is located at 2111 E. Franklin Avenue and sells freshly-baked pastries daily, offers catering services, and bakes cakes to order. Listen to our Market Report with Rebecca’s Bakery’s co-owner Tesh.
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