Elizabeth Larsen, owner and head baker of Jazzy Cakes, is up for a regional award for her traditional butter cakes in the 2025 Caribbean Baking Awards.
“I was super thrilled to be nominated for the 2025 Caribbean baking awards. It’s really inspiring to see all of the amazing and talented bakers we have throughout the islands,” Larsen told the Cayman Compass.
Larsen, who is nominated in the Best Traditional Caribbean Bakes category, joins a list of over 30 individuals and their business nominated for the 2025 Awards which “celebrate and recognise excellence in the baking industry across the Caribbean. All nominees have been selected based on their outstanding contributions and reputation within the industry,” according to its website.
Other categories include ‘Rising Star’, ‘Best wedding cake,’ ‘Pastry chef of the year,’ ‘Best Bake Shop of the Year,’ ‘Best Cake Supply Store,’ and ‘Best Cake Artist of the Year.’
Voting is open to the public until 7 Dec. Winners will be announced at a Masquerade Red Carpet Awards Gala Dinner at the Multipurpose Sports Complex, Tortola, British Virgin Islands on 22 Feb.
The website noted, “We will celebrate the creme de le creme of Caribbean bakers. From appetizers to main course to desserts, our talented chefs will showcase their finest creations that will leave you craving for more.”
The business which specialises in bespoke buttercream cakes, treats and desserts for all occasions, officially opened in 2018 after, “I did two private fundraisers in the year before to help raise funds to cover my son’s medical costs as he had to have surgery at six months old.
“When I returned, I had people contacting me wanting more cakes and since I had quit my job to stay home with him, it was kind of serendipitous that I could do that and also stay home with him, so Jazzy Cakes was born and named after my daughter, Jasmine,” Larsen said.
‘Never looked back’
The Cayman native, who has been baking professionally for about seven years, recalled her early days in the career she has now come to love and enjoy today.
“I think one of the first cakes I made from scratch on my own was a chocolate fudge cake which was always my favourite…For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved baking and have been in the kitchen with my mother/grandmother, who both passed down/inspired a lot of my cake recipes today.”
Jazzy Cakes has won a number of competitions over the years, including several Taste of Cayman’s cassava cake competitions; she came first place for a Cayman27 cassava cake competition, and last year’s Pirates Week heavy cake competition.
Larsen said she was never planning to be baker, “I actually went to school and trained to be a Goldsmith, but baking was always a passion of mine and when the opportunity presented itself, I dove in headfirst and never looked back.”
For anyone chasing their dreams, young or old, Larsen said, “believe with your whole heart that you will succeed and that nothing can hold you back, everything will always work out in your favour so trust yourself and trust the journey.”
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