From Bomb Squad to Bakehouse: Retired Deputy Launches Ground Ops Roastery in Florida

A retired law enforcement officer from Florida has made a surprising career transition from defusing bombs to baking treats and roasting coffee for the community.

Chris Smith, aged 56, along with his wife Shannon, inaugurated Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse in Tallahassee, Florida, in November 2023. This establishment blends their passion for service and offers a unique community hub centered around food and beverages.

A Career Built on Service

Prior to this venture, Chris Smith dedicated years of his life to law enforcement. He served as a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, featuring prominently on the SWAT team and working with the bomb squad. This background may seem far removed from the culinary arts, yet the essence of service remained constant throughout his journey.

“It all comes back to serving people and being there for the community,” Chris Smith mentioned in an interview. For him, opening Ground Ops represented another way to provide a meaningful service.

Service has been a guiding principle for Smith throughout his adult life. He initially spent four years in the U.S. Navy, taking advantage of the GI Bill to attend Florida State University. He became a deputy in 2010, and his commitment to helping others extended to volunteering as a firefighter.

A Sweet Encounter

Shannon Smith recalls one of Chris’s most pivotal moments occurring when they first met in 2021. At that time, Shannon was raising her adopted son alone when a friend suggested that Chris come over to speak with him.

When Chris arrived, he brought a paper plate of food covered in foil. “Then I ate this thing [in the foil], and it was amazing,” Shannon remembered, reflecting on the flavors that stood out at their first meeting.

Just days later, Chris texted Shannon, offering to share some banana pudding he was preparing for the bomb squad. This gesture sealed their connection, leading to their marriage just a year later. The dish Chris created that day, fondly known as the Hello Cake, eventually made its way onto the menu at Ground Ops.

A Unique Culinary Experience

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse serves as both a bakery and coffee shop, enriched by themes that celebrate their love for the country. Many of the coffee blends carry patriotic names, such as the Bravo Zulu blend infused with chocolate and toffee or the Commander’s Choice, which features hazelnut with a hint of fruit. Other notable offerings include the Depth Charge espresso and the Missing in Action decaf blend.

“A lot of the latte names are inspired by military themes,” Chris explained. “We have the Roger That and the Bunker Buster among others. It creates a fun atmosphere, and customers absolutely enjoy the experience.”

In addition to the rich flavors, the café also honors service members. Smith keeps a framed photograph of his cousin, Shannon Kent, a Navy cryptologist killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019. Her husband, Joe Kent, has recently taken on a significant role as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

Crafting Delicious Delicacies

Every item served at Ground Ops is made from scratch every single day. This includes everything from freshly baked rolls and popovers to cookies and cakes. Interestingly, Chris does not have a formal culinary background. Instead, he relies on cherished family recipes and a lot of experimentation.

“I love food and sampling new dishes,” Chris stated. “Travel inspires me to recreate what I have enjoyed, and I admit, my tastes lean towards the nostalgic, like a kid at heart.”

Shannon shared that her husband saved diligently and built up his equipment gradually. He harbored aspirations of someday owning a bakery, and now that dream has come to fruition.

The Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Running Ground Ops is not without its struggles. As Shannon pointed out, “Running a business is hard. Law enforcement presents its own challenges, but managing a bakery involves a different type of endurance.”

One of the more taxing demands includes early mornings required for baking. “I would have to say getting up early in the morning to bake is considerably more challenging than dealing with bombs,” Chris noted with a chuckle. Nevertheless, he confesses to missing the camaraderie of law enforcement.

A Continued Commitment to Service

Interestingly, Chris has not completely severed ties with his law enforcement career. His wife revealed that he has returned to the reserves, indicating his intrinsic desire to remain connected to community service.

This new chapter as a business owner combines Chris’s love for food with his commitment to serving others. Through Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse, he continues to forge relationships with the community, one delicious treat at a time.

Whether it’s the smell of freshly baked goods wafting through the air or the rich aroma of coffee, Ground Ops offers a unique experience that showcases the transformative journey of a former deputy who now brightens the days of locals with his culinary talents.