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This Week We Feature Young Professional Lakesha M. Barry

Lakesha M. Barry, 21, is an Assistant Pastry Chef at Johnson and Wales University cafeteria. Photo: Provided
Lakesha M. Barry is the proud owner of Kesha's Treats which caters to birthday parties, baby showers and special events. Photo: Provided
Lakesha M. Barry is the proud owner of Kesha's Treats which caters to birthday parties, baby showers and special events. Photo: Provided
Scrumptious cookies from Kesha's Treats. Photo: Provided
Scrumptious cookies from Kesha's Treats. Photo: Provided
More delicious pastries baked by Pastry Chef, Lakesha M. Barry. Photo: Provided
More delicious pastries baked by Pastry Chef, Lakesha M. Barry. Photo: Provided
Delicious cinnamon rolls created by Lakesha M. Barry. Photo: Provided
Delicious cinnamon rolls created by Lakesha M. Barry. Photo: Provided
Sample of Lakesha M. Barry's baking abilities. Photo: Provided
Sample of Lakesha M. Barry's baking abilities. Photo: Provided
More samples of pastries from Kesha's Treats. Photo: Provided
More samples of pastries from Kesha's Treats. Photo: Provided
By Renee C. Williams

Her grandmother was fond of baking pastries and this sparked an interest in our young professional, who took her interest a step further and started a small business that caters to the sweet tooth of her customers.

This week’s young professional is 21-year-old Lakesha M. Barry who grew up on the island of Anegada but presently resides in North Miami, Florida. She is an Assistant Pastry Chef at Johnson and Wales University cafeteria.

Lakesha is responsible for making vegan desserts, cookies, brownies, cakes, croissants, cinnamon rolls and special event desserts. She is also tasked with ensuring that the pastry station during events is kept tidy.

“Sometimes I would be out by the station answering any questions about any desserts,” she said.

Our young professional enjoys having a new experience while she is pursuing her career.

She expressed, “At my job, we create vegan desserts for the vegan student and I must say I fell in love with making vegan desserts, because it is something different.”

“I love being in the kitchen”

Growing up in a family restaurant business on Anegada called Cow Wreck Beach Bar and Grill, Lakesha told our newsroom that her grandmother was the person that inspired her into her present career field.

“I love being in the kitchen with my grandmother and learning all her secrets. When she makes her famous tarts, I can’t control myself from eating the raw dough while she makes it. I always used to tell my grandmother that she can plate the dishes a unique way and she always tell me to go to school to get certified. After studying culinary arts for associates, I felt that I paid more attention to the baking classes than any other class, so I decide I would become a pastry chef,” Lakesha explained.

Our young professional stated that she worked at Tropical Fusion Beach Bar and Grill as a front waitress, prep cook at Bitter End Yacht Club, an all-rounder at her family business Cow Wreck Beach and an Office Assistant at the High court.

Education

Lakesha is a proud product of the Anegada Primary School and the Claudia Creque Educational Centre where she graduated as the valedictorian of the class of 2013.

It was then off to H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), where she graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts.

She then moved on to Johnson and Wales University located in Florida, where she is now pursuing her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Baking and Pastry.

Business venture

The love our young professional has for baking pastries inspired her to start up her own small business. So in 2016, Lakesha opened her own business called Kesha’s Treats, which caters to birthday parties, baby showers and special events:

“One of my future goals is to add customised cakes to my speciality so that I can wow my customers and their guests at the events.”

Lakesha then told our newsroom that she ultimately wants to open her business on Anegada after completing her degree because she feels this will help put Anegada on the map.

“Anegada is considered as an outcast and I would like to be one of the many persons to bring Anegada on the map. Many tourists told me it is a good idea because they want something homemade rather than coming to the BVI to buy factory made products,” she explained.

Inspiration

There are quite a few persons that inspire our young professional to keep striving for success. They include Bellanseta Creque, grandmother; Lauren Creque, mother; Tieka Creque, aunt and her favourite pastry chef, Gorvey A. Henry.

Lakesha also said her life goal helps to keep her focused. “...because I want to become somebody my family would be proud of and encourage every young person that nobody can stop your future but you.”

Hobbies

Our young professional expressed that she loves to entertain persons as a moko jumbie dancer when she is not baking.

However, she admitted that baking and researching different types of desserts is something she likes to do in her free time.

Advice to youth

Lakesha advises young people to use negative energy to push forward.

“Many people will talk down to you because they feel they are better than you but use this negative energy to push you forward. People like to talk about the bad but they rarely talk about the good. I will continue to push forward until I can’t go no more, just to see the look on the negative people faces and smile because I made it to be someone.”

15 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Lakesha M. Barry”

  • kiss (23/03/2018, 10:13) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We Love you, keep the good works up
  • Mommy Headley (23/03/2018, 10:21) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes sah. Keep pushing Kesh. The sky is the limit just keep doing you. So proud of you.
  • friend (23/03/2018, 10:22) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job! It needs more young people like you.
    • great (24/03/2018, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bring her back home to head the recovery agency. We can do it. No need for expates. Hurry.
  • BVI STRONG (23/03/2018, 10:46) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good stuff
  • Nude (23/03/2018, 10:53) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good work keep it up
  • VI Gyal (23/03/2018, 11:03) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great job Kesh! continue to excel and do your best.
  • Binghi (23/03/2018, 11:31) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    THAT'S MY DAUGHTER.
    KEEP IT UP.
  • Awesome Job (23/03/2018, 13:45) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Great work hun!!! idk who she is! but when she returns home i can see she will have her hands filled with work!!!
    Congrats and keep up the excellent job!!!
  • Bling Bling (23/03/2018, 14:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Woot woot Big Congratulations
  • Gumption. Official (23/03/2018, 15:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Your advice for the youths should be used for adults as well. That’s the same advice I use all the time. Ain’t that much people hate or dislike me, they just dislike themselves for not having self drive to get things done. Also it’s just easier to blam someone than blame ourselves. Once you keep your own advice you must win. The only people who would disagree are those who never used that advice. I’m proud each time I see a young lady doing their best to not be just ratchet as the basic others. God is amazing. Keep him close (All the time including weekends and public holidays. Keep God close.
  • GR (23/03/2018, 17:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Great job, Keesh’! Keep it up!
  • Auntie Deb (23/03/2018, 20:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Amazing! Rick and I are so proud, you make Anegada shine
  • dd (24/03/2018, 13:59) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Give the young lady her dues excellent pick VINO
  • Blessed (24/03/2018, 18:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    God Bless You ALWAYS...


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