Before the internet hype, this New Jersey cafe took inspiration from Wicked

Foodie fun

There’s plenty of room for the hard-hitting banger “Defying Gravitea,” in the new hit film, Evil. But for those based in New Jersey, you may already know that there is a cafe and bakery in Pequannock, New Jersey that is already committed to this mission. Gina Cassesse, a 5th generation Italian chef, opened her business Defying Gravitea in May 2023, dedicated to serving gluten- and dairy-free treats, with a mission to show that there are “no limits” to eating foods without dairy or gluten are set”. Over the past few years, Defying Gravitea has become a staple for those looking for delicious meals in the New Jersey area – especially if they’re gluten-free, celiac, or dairy-free. Located at 211 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock, this cozy cafe is completely gluten and dairy free. Each dish is prepared in small batches using locally sourced ingredients. But long before Evil Despite the internet hype and press tour, “Defying Gravitea” was just one New Jersey woman’s dream of being limitless when it comes to allergy-friendly eating.

The journey to a gluten-free diet

Gina Cassesse has been gluten-free since 1993, which was a difficult task in the ’90s given the lack of food choices. As a fifth-generation cook, being in the kitchen and eating with her family has always been an important part of Gina’s life. Growing up, she worked in her family’s restaurant, where she learned to cook, butcher and bake and learned the basics of daily operations, but then transitioned to a corporate job in the food industry.

^Gina with her son Nicholas, who helps run the food truck portion of the business – a true family affair

In her corporate role, she was a member of a special VIP catering team and managed dining services for a large university. She has also cooked for many celebrities such as Phil Simms, Margaret Thatcher as well as Governor Phil Murphy and former Governor Chris Christie.

As Gina climbed the corporate ladder for over 15 years, she grew tired of what she describes as the “limits” and felt that her true passion was in food, after years of learning alongside her father, but also in it, hers share your own allergy-friendly recipes. “I was there for 15 years. During this time, I learned that I had an intolerance to gluten and dairy and suffered from an autoimmune disease.” This, she says, partly inspired her to take some of her family’s traditional Italian recipes and treats and transform them into new ones – and convert dairy-free versions.

“I had learned from my father for years, so it was a natural transition. “I wanted to show the world that a dairy-free and gluten-free diet is not a restriction,” she explained. But after leaving the company and working elsewhere in the restaurant industry, she decided to have her own place and show that gluten and dairy-free food doesn’t have to “taste like cardboard” (their words – not ours!). Gina decided to start her own cafe and opened Defying Gravitea in Pequannock, where she lives. She now runs it together with her son Nicholas – the 6th generation.

Read more: All the gluten-free options in the Montclair area

Why Evil-Inspired?

The outside of Defying Gravitea when it first opened.

Fun fact, according to Gina: The spatula in the logo is Elphaba’s broom and the cup is Glinda’s bubble.

In recent years, Defying Gravitea has become a staple for those looking for delicious meals in the New Jersey area – especially if they’re gluten-free or have celiac disease. It’s a kitchen all its own, where every dish is prepared in small batches using locally sourced ingredients (Gina even gets gluten-free flour from Italy – it is better and much purer, she shares). But something that those who don’t know know it Evil I may not know if it is the inspiration for Gina’s creation.

“I saw it Evil “Over 20 years ago with the original cast and it was so inspiring,” Gina shared. “About eleven years ago I experienced a rebuilding of myself, and this song has kept me going every day. I sang and cried, and when I stopped crying while singing, I knew I had evolved into a new version of myself.” This, she says, inspired her to name her café Defy Gravi’tea – a reference to her favorite song.

Before all the hype

There is no doubt that the Evil The trend has become an international hype on the Internet. Before that, however, Gina already served a hearty breakfast and lunch menu and also handled catering for special occasions and take-out dinners Evils mission in mind. The cafe recently opened its new event space, The Cottage House, for special and intimate events such as bridal and baby showers, birthdays and more – and a food truck was introduced in fall 2024.

Defying Gravitea has one carefully compiled menu which is made from unprocessed, farm-fresh ingredients and is completely gluten and dairy free (GF/DF). Each dish is made from scratch, using whole ingredients and old-world grains (gluten-free flour even from Italy!) to create meals that are both nutritious and delicious. She also has a full one Defy GraviTEA Line.

“We offer food that is always fresh and made to order,” Gina shared The Montclair Girl. “Although our bakery is dairy and gluten free, we can assure you that it has fat, sprinkles and flavor!”

The breakfast menu offers a selection of hearty and comforting dishes. Think fluffy, flourless oatmeal pancakes, savory breakfast crepes filled with homemade Goffle Farm chicken sausage crumbles, eggs, spinach and DF cheddar cheese. You’ll also find favorites like avocado toast on house-baked bread, egg sandwiches and homemade banana bread. For lighter fare, the menu also includes sweet potato and chia seed parfaits, waffles, granola and made-to-order omelets.

For lunch, the menu features a variety of sandwiches, including Bacon + Bleu, which consists of turkey bacon, sautéed onions and raisins cooked into a jam and topped with blue cheese. Other options include a Chicken schnitzel sandwich, a classic parmesan substrate, seasonal saladsand flatbread pizza with fire-roasted tomatoes, homemade ricotta and farmhouse pesto, as well as eggplant caponata and chicken salad.

But the real kicker is the dessert – decadent cakes, breads, scones, muffins and brownies, all of which taste like you’re eating the real thing (Trust us on this). The food here truly feels limitless if you have lactose or gluten intolerance – a true testament to the fact that Defying Gravitea was just one New Jersey woman’s dream come true: to be limitless when it comes to allergy-friendly food.

Defy Gravitea is located at 211 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock. If you have any questions, please call 862-226-9692 or email (email protected)or visit the website for more information.