Discovering Dreams in Hospitality Industry
Baking is synonymous with Sundays in Tobago. In Tobago, this tradition is passed down from generation to generation. From the currants rolls (twist of the British Eccles pies) to Victorian cakes, pastries, bread, and cakes are a favourite on the island.
Sade Baird is the owner of Sade Dessert Garden. One of Tobago’s aspiring baker. At 20, Sade’s entrepreneurial sojourn began as a child, visiting her aunt, a professional pastry chef. From there, her passion for baking was ignited.
Her mother’s support contributed to her open-mindedness and tenacity. This resulted in Sade excelling in food and nutrition at Secondary School. She enrolled in the Culinary Arts programme at Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute in August 2017.
In culinary class, she was known as a person who is always baking. She would always share her baking to get feedback. For Sade, her experience at Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute has been invaluable. The friends and networks she made allow her to be a well-rounded entrepreneur.
“I learned a lot when it comes to baking, but the entire programme included hospitality, tourism, and a broad perspective. The cooking aspect with Chef Arthur was motivating, and you discover things you overlook in the hospitality industry,” Sade says. These lessons in the food and beverage industry provided her with invaluable knowledge in business operations, combined with her life experiences to hone her skills in differentiating her product offerings and applying new techniques.
After graduating from the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute in 2019, Sade officially opened her business, Sade’s Dessert Garden, in May 2020.
“In my mind, a garden has fruits and flowers, and there is diversity,” Sade says. “Since 2017, I have independently done so many things, so to me, it was just the right name for me.”
When she is not learning something about her craft, she creates scrumptious desserts. Whatever you need, once it involves baking, she is willing to make it. She is committed to bringing all of the traditional and undiscovered baking goods to everyone’s home and demonstrating that there is a whole new world of baking to discover.
Creativity is essential for Sade. Her cakes are decorated with swirls, guava jellies and flowers.
“You have to get people’s eyes moving first, so they will have a try,” says Sade, as she chuckles about her creativity.
“In Trinidad and Tobago, we mostly see plain cakes, doughnuts, pastries, and cookies in bakeries,” she says.
“In my business, I want to blend the international with the local – incorporate our different flavours with speciality cakes, I want to be different. It’s about allowing people to experience something that may not like or are familiar with a new taste, the taste of Tobago.”
“I am giving customers a little of both,” says Sade. “I want tourists to feel familiar with the things that they eat, yet offer them and our people flavours that are uniquely ours.”
Sade proves that you don’t need much to start a business, just the right attitude, passion and willingness to do the work. Despite the pandemic, she sees this time as her most significant and understands that it is necessary to prioritise, plan everything, and manage financial resources wisely in a small business.
Sade believes that a bakery requires consistency. Every time she bakes, she strives to get as close to perfection as possible. She is building her dream of owning a bakery soon by putting in the work.
“I know people who love to bake like I do but can’t,” she says. “I want to create a bakery where other bakers can improve their baking skills, be inspired and live their passion.”
Photo Credits: Sade’s Dessert Garden
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