A Trinidadian has copped a top award at the first annual Caribbean Baking Awards held at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex and Maria's by the Sea Hotel and Restaurant in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on February 16 and 17.
Dexter Cambridge, 23, won the prized award for Best Cake in Show, aka Best of Show. His cake titled Queen of Bacchanal was dedicated to its namesake, soca artiste Destra Garcia.
His cake was comprised of six tiers and an explosion of colours.
"The bottom tier tells the rooted and grounded soul of TT. We also had a globe that represents people flying from all over to visit TT for Carnival. I also had a TT flag, a steelpan, a map of TT and a lady portraying Carnival at the front," Cambridge said.
Cambridge, from Palmiste in Chaguanas, operates an online (Instagram) store, 4 D's Cake Bridge, which offers custom-made cakes and pastries.
His won US$2,000, a trophy and other prizes.
Several media outlets in the BVI, including Media 284 and JTV Channel 55, reported on the award ceremony.
Akim Ishmael of Dominica won first place, with Jessica Bess of St Vincent and the Grenadines in second, and Timoy Titus of Antigua and Barbuda placed third.
[caption id="attachment_1065536" align="alignnone" width="768"] Dexter Cambridge and his mother Donna Cambridge with his winning cake Queen of Bacchanal. -[/caption]
Cambridge said considering it was Carnival time, he was contemplating creating a cake centred on the 2024 Road March song DNA by Mical Teja. However, he decided that his first presentation would be a woman, and being a fan of Garcia, the choice was not difficult to make.
He said he was overjoyed with the win and thanked his family, God, those who supported him and others.
"It was my first time entering a competition, and I won the biggest title of the show. I am mainly self-taught. I have been baking for the past seven years but only professionally for the past two years," Cambridge told Newsday in a phone interview on February 19.
"My first job was in a bakery, and I worked there for a month. I went to culinary school, but not for pastries; it was for cooking. I believe that once you can cook, you can bake. I started playing around with different stuff."
Apart from operating his online business, Cambridge works at Woodford Café as a kitchen supervisor.
He recalled that when he saw an advertisement about the competition, he did not believe it was real. A friend entered his name. When he got a call informing him about his selection, he was shocked.
[caption id="attachment_1065535" align="alignnone" width="768"] A back view of Dexter Cambridge’s cake titled Queen of Bacchanal. -[/caption]
The past pupil of the Chaguanas North Secondary School recalled having problems finding sponsors to support his participation in the competition but a few stepped in to support in whatever way they could have.
He thanked Roger Blackman of Roblac Construction, Victor Alexander of PFWI Engineering Ltd, Mario Mootoo of Welding Depot and Industrial Supplies Ltd, Marianne Callender of We Insp
