Collet Baird channels her mom in her special fruit cakes
Collet Baird is the owner of Collet’s Cakes and Catering, a cake-making business based in Parika, East Bank Essequibo. Baird said it was based on family and upholding traditions that she ventured into the baking industry six years ago.
A woman from humble beginnings, she recalled seeing her mother in the kitchen making cakes for special occasions. “It was my son’s first birthday and remembering my mom, she never let us have a birthday without a cake no matter the messy design or form. We always had a cake,” she recalled. “But when it was his birthday I realised that I did not know anyone that made cakes. This led me to going on YouTube and I utilised my mother’s cake pans and that was how Collet’s Cakes and Catering was born.”
A master at her craft, she emphasised that freshness and taste are what matter to her most and what her customers all look forward to when purchasing her cakes year round.
Baird describes herself as a cool, calm and vibrant person who places high emphasis on her work and her customer’s satisfaction.
She took time off to demonstrate one of her all-time Guyanese holiday favourites – fruit cake.
First, she gathered all the ingredients necessary; butter, sugar, eggs, essence and fruits and flour. She emphasised that it is necessary to keep measurements in mind when making cakes so if the desired amount of cake is one pound, the dry ingredients should be the same amount.
Second, she began mixing the butter and sugar with the mixer on high speed for 10 minutes. After the grains of sugar melted, she then proceeded to add the eggs one at a time, continuously mixing. After adding the final egg, she continued to mix for two minutes more to get a fluffy texture.
Third, she folded in the fruits, spices and orange peel. She said adding nuts or raisins is completely optional. Into this, Baird squeezed the juice of a fresh orange. Finally, she added the flour and mixed on low speed. She said it could also be folded in with a spoon.
The finished product is in the accompanying photos.
Anyone looking to purchase cakes can contact her via cellphone on +592 680 9818 or on Facebook @Collets Cakes and Catering.