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Former RRHS student finds success with bakery

Baked by Christiana
During a pop-up event, Baked by Christiana helpers Jenna Rios (left) and Lucille D'Amato (right) pose for a picture.
Baked by Christiana
Owner Christiana Romero stands by a sea of baked goods. Romero’s mobile bakery has been very successful.
Daniel Zuniga Rio Rancho Observer Interim Reporter Daniel Zuniga Rio Rancho Observer Interim Reporter Daniel Zuniga Rio Rancho Observer Interim Reporter Daniel Zuniga Rio Rancho Observer Interim Reporter
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RIO RANCHO — In 2022, pastry chef Christiana Romero, a member of the Rio Rancho High School class of 2013, launched her new bakery, Baked by Christiana.

Since then, Romero’s business has accumulated thousands of followers on social media, won a Best of the City plaque in 2023 (Top 5 for Best Cakes), and most recently, won the award for “Best Baked Good” at the second annual Food Truck Fiesta.

“Born and raised here, this is my home,” Romero said. “I was always in the kitchen growing up, baking, cooking with Grandma, and I was always in culinary arts in high school, competed in the state fair,” Romero said.

Baked by Christiana has been a regular at pop-ups, fairs, parks and a staple at the weekend Rail Yard Market in Albuquerque. Besides events, Baked by Christiana also does pickup orders.

“I get to do things that I want, bake things that I want and create things I want. It’s a totally new ball game, and it is so cool,” Romero said. “I took my love and passion for baking and decided that I did not want to work for anyone else. I just wanted everything to be my name and my presentation. I can make my own hours and schedule, and I can spend more time with my family.”

For the fall season, customers can expect to see new menu items inspired by flavors like pumpkin, caramel, pecan and maple.

“My menu rotates weekly. So, I have different items, different menus, all the time. That’s ranging from cookies, dessert bars, little dessert shooters, cakes, tiramisu, all that kind of stuff. It’s something new every week,” Romero said.

Romero attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she was an honors graduate. After living in Arizona for eight or nine years, Romero wanted to move back home to be close to family.

“Everyone’s getting old. Family is important. Just being that far away if they needed me ... so I decided that I needed to go back home,” Romero said.

With her business growing, Romero has explored the idea of opening a permanent location.

“I think about it all the time. Do I want to make the jump? Am I ready? Hopefully, maybe it’ll be in the works,” Romero said.

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