St. Augustine pastry chef Nils Rowland and his team have officially taken the cake — and the crown.
With a final flourish of frosting and flair, Rowland, alongside teammates Francois Paille and Cami San Romani, emerged victorious on Food Network’s Sweet Empire: Winter Wars.
“WE DID IT!” the team cheered on Facebook after the win, raising a celebratory toast in front of their San Marco location. “Say hello to your Sweet Empire: Winter Wars Champions! Everyone at Crème is so proud of Chef Nils Rowland and his team.”
The win — which includes a $50,000 grand prize — caps off an intense season that began airing last month, when Rowland first brought his Florida flavor to the national stage.
True to form, his debut bake was a citrus-infused pound cake sculpted into an alligator’s head — a cheeky, nod to his Sunshine State roots.
“Obviously, you might be able to guess I’m from Florida,” he joked at the time. The judges guessed correctly — and kept watching.
Rowland wasn’t just baking for bragging rights. He was baking for home.
“I represent my family and the area and everybody here,” he said during the competition. “I take that seriously.”
A familiar face on Food Network (Cake Wars Xmas, Holiday Wars, Halloween Wars and more), Rowland and his wife Bailey have been delighting locals since opening Crème de la Cocoa in 2016.
From elegant cakes and handcrafted chocolates to ice cream and show-stopping event desserts, the San Marco Avenue bakery has become a community favorite.
“It’s time for a toast!” the celebratory post exulted. “Come in and celebrate with us at Crème de la Cocoa!”
