Meet Jayla Eckford | Pastry Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayla Eckford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayla, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
1- There is no success without hard work. 2- No one will handle your business the way you do, If you want something done best, do it yourself. 3- With great power, comes great responsibility 4- Seeing the fruits of your labor, is the most beautiful thing ever.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
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 due to mentorship and dedication. 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!

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! The most important thing I’ve learned thus far is that you can never stop learning! I want the world to know from my brand and story that you can do anything you put your mind to, even if it seems a bit unorthodox.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, we’d start the day off with breakfast at Toast on Lenox, then head on over to the Botanical Garden for a few photo ops, then down to the Beltline & Ponce Market for a little lunch and scenery viewing, then head to Lenox for a little shopping, and finish the evening off with drinks and dinner at Batsi!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, I’d like to thank God! HE is first and foremost and the head of my life and without him, none of this would be possible. My mother is directly second. She was a caterer while I was growing up and rather than playing outside, I’d watch or help her in the kitchen, which is where my love for culinary began. She has been with me every step of the way, dishing out countless hours and dollars to make sure that I am successful in whatever it was I chose to do. She encourages me when I feel defeated and doesn’t hesitate to hold her tongue when she feels Im slipping.

Instagram: Personal: @bakerbaeee Business @bakerbaesweets Chef Portfolio @sweetchefjayla

Image Credits
Marcus Bucknarly