Our first post of 2021 is extra sweet! Today we’re getting to know Jamie Pacheco of Jamie-Cakes, a bakery boutique in Tucson, AZ. A wedding cake artist for over 10 years, Jamie works with each couple to create a cake that is truly theirs, reflecting their vision and personality, while capturing the unique look and feel of their event.
Jamie worked for many years at a “desk job” in federal and state government and felt she was never fully able to tap into her creative side. She’d had a lifelong love of baking and began making cakes and cupcakes for friends and family. As her bakery business grew and grew, she eventually turned her side hustle into a full time career! We interviewed Jamie to find out a little more about her business, her delicious creations, and her work in the Tucson wedding industry.
How would you describe the style of your work?
If you look at my gallery of creations on my website, you’ll see I don’t necessarily stick to one particular style of cake. I really like to work with my couples to make a creation that is unique to them and their wedding. I love meeting new couples and working together to create the cake of their dreams.
Tell us about something that makes a wedding extra fun for you.
I just love to try new things. So when a couple gives me creative liberty over the design of their cake, I have fun experimenting with new and/or trendy styles.
What is the most unique, interesting, or special wedding experience you’ve had?
Living in Arizona, we’re blessed with this beautiful desert landscape and climate. But the desert also brings things we don’t necessarily want at our weddings sometimes… critters of the 4-legged variety! I was recently setting up a wedding cake at a beautiful outdoor venue that was set in the midst of our lovely desert. With a pond in the area as well, a family of about 10 javelina decided that it looked like a nice watering hole to visit. Fortunately their visit was short and they went along their way!
Brag a little about your proudest moment as a wedding professional.
I have built my business from the ground up. When I started going on 11 years ago now, it was from scratch. I had to build a name and reputation for myself in this industry over the years. In the very beginning I didn’t have an advertising budget, so I had a free ad on Craigslist! Now I’m so very fortunate to have a much healthier advertising budget to spread around to local wedding magazines, etc.
What is your dream holiday or adventure?
My husband and I have always wanted to visit Italy! We actually had a vacation in the works to Italy in 2020 but then COVID happened and that has been put on hold. In the meantime, we’ve been stocking up on Italian wines to get us through.
Tell us something you never leave home without?
A snack! Because you don’t want to cross my path when I’m hangry!
Tell us something about you that might surprise your clients if they knew.
For my birthday, I always choose cheesecake over cake! Not that I don’t love cake! It’s probably just because I have an endless supply of cake on hand any given day and cheesecake is a special treat that I only indulge in a few times a year.
What is a TV show or movie that you could watch on repeat forever?
National Treasure! When it was available on Netflix, I literally had it playing in the background almost every day. My family is so happy it’s not available on Netflix anymore! I’m also a big fan of anything zombie apocalypse, so The Walking Dead is another favorite of mine.
Jamie-Cakes Bakery Boutique is located in Tucson, Arizona. Jamie strives to provide a memorable “experience” for her couples, from their initial encounter to delivery of the cake.