Young entrepreneur maximising on the season with baked treats

By Indrawattie Natram

THERE is a popular Christmas song with the lyric “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.” Certainly, lots of persons would feel the same way if they were deprived of Guyanese treats such as black cake and ginger beer during the festive season of Christmas.

Many persons, especially the older folks, would attest that there is no Christmas without a piece of delicious black cake or a drink of strong ginger beer as a special treat during the holidays. The making of black cake fosters that spirit of giving, especially when you treat your guest to a slice or send some over for your neighbours and relatives.

Popularly known as ‘black cake’ in Guyana and ‘rum soaked fruitcake’ in the Caribbean, the dish is a type of dessert that is served during Christmas time. It is prepared with dried fruits soaked in rum for months and then added to a dough prepared with sugar which has been caramelised by boiling water. This may sound like an easy process, however, not everyone can bake a perfect black cake since it requires a special art.

The famous delicious ‘melt in your mouth’ black cake whipped up by 25-year-old Nikita James of Cotton Field in Region Two, is a classic by itself. James, who is a teacher in the day and a baker in the nights, capitalises on the Christmas season to promote her business.

James is the owner of Lioness’s Creations Cakes and Treats, and it is her intention to own a full-fledged bakery one day. Although she will never give up teaching as a profession, she said her bakery will provide employment for youths who have a passion for baking.
For the Christmas season, James has already begun working late at home whipping up her cakes for the season. According to her, orders are overflowing and she explained that she never gets tired baking cakes since it’s a hobby of hers.

James has both local and overseas customers who order her black cakes. “For me, my holidays are taken up with baking tons of black cake, fruit cakes and Christmas themed cupcakes. I find fun doing it and I love satisfying my customers,” James said.
She stated that a good black cake requires a long process of rum soaking. She said that once the fruit is soaked well then, the texture will eventually become perfect.

“Most of my customers say that my black cakes are delicious and it melts in their mouth. I have mastered the art of black cake baking from constant practising. Even my mom Portia Jacobs is amazed at my cakes,” James said.

James was inspired by the show “Cake Wars” and after practising she has improved. She began baking cake on a commercial basis in 2016 and as time goes by her creations became popular. She now caters for weddings, graduations, birthdays and baby showers.
She enjoys baking multiple fruit cakes and commented that it is an art to get the cake moist and spongy. Her knowledge is widened by research online, including YouTube videos.

During the holidays James would host several cake sales and she said she is amazed by the sales she received and the positive feedback. She recently held a cake sale on November 30.

“Last year, the Christmas sales were commendable and I received raving comments. This year it will be better since I have promotional prices on my cakes. I am also dabbling with Christmas themed cupcakes and I have special offers.”

James can be contacted on Facebook at Lioness Creations Cakes and Treat or on Whatsapp at 6988823.