Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayla Eckford

Jayla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My mother was a caterer growing up. My job was always desserts. She’d have me running chocolate fountains, setting up dessert displays, and creating fruit platters at 12! I turned my childhood job into a small business in 2015, called Diva Desserts where I’d offer confections, fruit platters, and colored chocolate fountains. In 2020, I decided to take it to the next level, move to Atlanta and attend the Art Institute of Atlanta for Baking and Pastry Arts, where I graduated in 2022. After graduation, I worked for the Americano in Buckhead, Atlanta, I traveled on a 5 city tour with a celebrity cake artist, and worked on the water for American Cruise Lines. I elevated my business from just confections, to full decadent pastries, creative cakes, and sweet treats and even began marketing myself with business,hence the name “Baker Bae Sweets”, and even offer cool events such as kids cake classes, and cake and sips.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The road has not been easy by far!!!!! From feeling like my market was oversaturated when doing just confections and falling out of love with the craft, to moving to another state with no family or friends, getting adjusted to a new area with no support, and all the trials and tribulations that come with that, going back to school, full time, while working full time, struggling to make ends meet and keep up with all the school work. And even getting into the industry, after graduation, dealing with all the personalities in my work environments (culinary people are…. interesting), finding my way and what exact area I wanted to enter into in the field, and staying motivated while doing so! I can go on and on about the struggles of the industry, however you know something is your passion, if at the end of the day, none of the struggles matter and you keep going!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a pastry chef, cake artist, and event curator. I specialize in custom cakes, decadent pastries, and creative treats. I am most proud of myself for how far I’ve come in the industry in such a short amount of time. What sets me apart from others is marketing myself with my business, which makes it more personable and I’ve never met anybody like me!

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

As far as mentors in the culinary industry go, you wanna make sure you have a few!!! I’d like to shout-out Chef Bill Lipscomb, who was actually an instructor of mine in school. He noticed my passion for the industry and took me under his wing and I’ll forever be grateful for that. I can always call him for recipes, advice, and even references and referrals. Being serious about your passion will make people gravitate towards you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bakerbaesweets.com
• Instagram: @bakerbaeee personal @bakerbaesweets business @sweetchefjayla professional chef portfolio

Image Credits

Marcus BuckNarley