Community Highlights: Meet Jessica Bhikam of The Cake and Bread Basket

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Bhikam.

Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story is a unique one. Originally born and raised in Toronto, Canada, I have been exposed to baking my entire life. For as long as I can remember, I used to watch Food Network Canada often trying out Anna Olson, Jamie Oliver or Alton Browns fun recipes. When I wasn’t doing that, I would pull up a chair and watch my mother bake traditional recipes, and although she is an amazing cook, I always gravitated towards her baking. By age 12, I was mastering the apple pie while my other friends were getting into makeup and fancy clothes. When I got into high school, My idea of a fun Friday night was baking cupcakes with the girls and watching movies. As many immigrant parents are concerned about their future and the future of their children, my parents told me to go to University and obtain a degree..in anything! They were always adamant about putting education above hobbies. So I did just that, I attended York University in Toronto and obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Liberal Studies with a major in Urban Planning. That was “the dream”.

To become a city planner (even though I would have much rather attended George Brown College for their Culinary Arts Program)…all the while still loving the bake for my family and for my friends. The years passed, many jobs came and went as I dabbled into Finance working for RBC Royal Bank in Canada. In December 2015, I moved to NYC and interned with the Department of City Planning where I found matters a little too political for my liking. While I lived in NYC, I was basically living in dessert heaven. Visiting different places from Martha’s Bakery in Queens where they had the most GORGEOUS looking pastries, to Butter Cookie in Long island and Juniors Cheesecake in Brooklyn (the original is my favourite) and of course the honorable mention of Magnolia bakery in lower Manhattan (drools!). I obtained a job out in Harlem which allowed me to travel which allowed me to learn how to use the train BUT ALSO allowed me to visit these amazing places. It was wonderful, however living in NYC was never my long-term plan. My partner and I made a move to Orlando in 2017 where I decided to go back into Finance.

Although it was paying the bills, it was not my true passion. I lived for freshly baked bread and I would bake a cake at any chance I could get, One thing led to another, and we decided to start a family. Once I had my son in November 2019, I said to myself, this is it Jessica… it’s now or never. So I made the very liberating choice to raise my son and start my own business simultaneously. My partner always encouraged me to follow that dream in starting my own bakery. He has been my motivator through this decision and I can truly say with confidence it has been the best choice we’ve made for this family. Not only can I raise my son, but I also have the luxury of exercising my artistic abilities. All my designs are self-taught and I find inspiration in many different places from hikes with my family to my travels, photos online, talking and learning about people down here in Orlando and my time living in NYC and Canada. My vision for my bakery to grow a successful business creating beautiful pieces of delicious art to share with people and create life-lasting memories for my clients.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not say it was an easy path to make the choice to start a business out of nothing. Moving to America and trying to start a life in NYC presented its own challenges and a second major move to Orlando also presented very real challenges. The distance from my support system has been the toughest for me as I am innately an extrovert and the inability to experience change without my family and friends has been tough. I will say there is always beauty in starting something new and that, along with the support from my partner and son has been my main motivator to continue with my dream.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is where people go for custom made cakes and breads made with high-quality ingredients to create memories. Each handmade piece of art is uniquely designed to satisfy and fit the client’s needs. There is always open communication between the client and myself. We discuss down to the exact details to make sure the client is happy with their product. Oftentimes, the product is not just a dessert, it is a showpiece that ends up in family photos, weddings, birthdays and celebrations. I specialize in buttercream cakes and handmade breads. What sets me apart from other bakers in my unique history of living in different places and being exposed to different styles. What also sets me apart from bakers is my genuine passion and the journey that brought me here. This is not just a job for me, this is my calling and when you truly love what you do, the product tends to be must more spectacular in appearance and taste.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see my industry booming in Orlando. I think this is a very lucrative industry, but consistency is key, in the next 5-10 years I am hoping that the trends only continue to grow with more extravagant styles, designs and flavours. Making cakes is such a personal experience and I hope to see more cake artists out there for more inspiration for myself and within the industry.

Contact Info:

• Email: the.bread.baskett@gmail.com
• Website: https://thecakeandbreadbasket.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecakeandbreadbasket/

Image Credits:
Devin Singh
Jessica Bhikam