The Sweet Shop: Going from strength to strength

For Lenore Jackson, pursuing a career in the culinary arts was almost a given, as from a young age, she was exposed to the kitchen and cooking by her parents.

However, she never imagined that through operating her own baked goods catering company – The Sweet Stop – she would create a whopping 70 specialty flavoured cheesecakes, all of which are her own secret recipes!{{more}}

Some of her specialty flavours are blueberry swirl, cherry vanilla, peanut butter supreme, butterscotch, Guinness, mango, pumpkin pecan, chocolate peppermint, soursop, pineapple and coconut, Pina Colada, and Ponche de Crème – among others.

“I just keep experimenting and trying new flavours,” she said. “My friends would say these cakes are good; why don’t you try to open a little business or something?”

Speaking with SEARCHLIGHT last Wednesday, Jackson recalled that she began taking her baking seriously in 2009/10 and established The Sweet Stop, after years of honing her craft – and with much encouragement from family and friends.

In addition to cakes, she also makes cupcakes and sweetbreads.

“I would say it’s a gift from God that the ideas just come to me.”

Jackson also pointed out that with her baked goods, the emphasis is more on the wide variety of flavours available to customers.

“That’s what differentiates me from the others,” she noted. “I’m more into creating and using innovation to create different flavours, you know? Adding value to the product… That’s really my main focus.”

Additionally, she disclosed that she is currently researching culinary schools, as she intends to enroll at one so she can further advance her culinary skills – especially where large wedding cakes are concerned.

The Kingstown Park resident said that one of her goals is to open a pastry shop where she can offer customers an even wider variety of baked goods.

“People can come and relax and choose something nice… of good quality, and be satisfied as well.”

She added: “There is nothing more rewarding and motivating than seeing a happy face when I use my creativity to make something special for someone!”

Jackson, who is a past student of the Girls’ High School, also has a keen interest in event decoration and event management.

She holds a postgraduate degree from the Anglia Ruskin University (UK), with special electives in Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. (JSV)