Local entrepreneur and cake artist, Gorvey A. Henry aka ‘cake boss’ has shrugged off suggestions that his novelty business might be ill affected given the present harsh economy and noted that he didn’t just make cakes, but offered an experience as well. Photo: VINO

Cake artist, Gorvey A. Henry, whose journey began with a cake made with 300 roses, was announced today, March 5, 2014 as the latest LIME for Local and Talented Awardee. Photo: VINO

Henry is the third local announced as part of LIME BVI's efforts in promoting exceptional local talent after it had taken a brief hiatus since last year. Photo: VINO

Henry is the third local announced as part of LIME BVI's efforts in promoting exceptional local talent after it had taken a brief hiatus since last year. Photo: VINO

Henry is the third local announced as part of LIME BVI's efforts in promoting exceptional local talent after it had taken a brief hiatus since last year. Photo: VINO

Henry is the third local announced as part of LIME BVI's efforts in promoting exceptional local talent after it had taken a brief hiatus since last year. Photo: VINO

Henry is the third local announced as part of LIME BVI's efforts in promoting exceptional local talent after it had taken a brief hiatus since last year. Photo: VINO

Commenting on the general state of the economy and how it would affect his business, Henry said he felt that he would survive for a long time, as long as there are weddings and birthdays and celebrants out there who want to symbolise their lives.

“What I do isn’t just cake, it’s an experience,” Henry offered while noting that it was important to have an experience whenever you have an event.

He explained that despite the fact that there were general hardships for some entrepreneurs, “people are still doing things”. The cake artist said that he was doing great with his business and making money all year round.

Despite his unique method art of cake decoration, Henry said he was confident that he would be able to handle the capacity of orders that would normally be received in June, which is traditionally considered the month of brides.

Henry revealed that he would be hiring a few hands and moving into a new space which would allow him to be prepared for this challenge in years to come.

His inspiration, he revealed, comes from going keeping updated with trends contained within the pages of bridal and fashion magazines and surfing the internet among other things. “I like to see what [cake artists] are doing,” he added.

He insisted that once he was approached with orders, he would consult and assess the situation as his work remained part of a business and he need to be cognisant of his bottom line.

“Take risks and don’t be shy about it,” Henry said when asked about his encouragement to other like-minded talents. He advised that no venture should fail because it was a new one and encouraged persons to simply continue to strive to see their reward.

Kareem-Nelson Hull of LIME said the company had created an information pool of possibilities they would like to highlight in the LIME for Local and Talented promotion and this led to Henry being selected alongside its previous two awardees.

Apart from his local and regional appeal, Henry was also hailed for being a leader with a high level of proficiency in his field of cake decoration.

See previous story posted March 5, 2014:

Gorvey A. Henry is latest LIME for Local & Talented awardee

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Cake artist, Gorvey A. Henry, whose journey began with a cake made with 300 roses, was announced today, March 5, 2014 as the latest LIME for Local and Talented Awardee.

Henry is the third local announced as part of LIME BVI's efforts in promoting exceptional local talent after it had taken a brief hiatus since last year.

Head of Business at LIME BVI, Mr Ken Guiste, told reporters that Henry received most of his formal training locally at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) before graduating as one of the top students in his class at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America.

Demand for the specialist cake artist has been touted as being both local and regional with orders being required as early as two weeks in advance for his masterpieces. Any of his cake’s preparation is the result of consultation with clients and a one of a kind design that he sketches and presents for approval.

Head of Marketing and Communications at LIME, Mr Kareem-Nelson Hull said the company’s selection of Henry for the award was a ‘no-brainer’ because of his outstanding ability in the field of cake decoration.

“We realised that not only was he someone that was leading the way in his profession, he has also garnered the attention of people across the region and across the world as a matter of fact,” Hull stated.

Meanwhile, Henry, in accepting the award, recounted that he had never planned to be a cake artist but said life has a way of throwing things at you. His journey in cake decoration, he recalled, reluctantly began at the request of a friend and involved a cake decorated with nearly three hundred roses.

Decorating his first cake, he remarked ‘was the longest twenty-six hours of my life’, but he noted that he now has better organisational skills today and can now produce three different types of cakes within the matter of a week.

The awardee, who is also a culinary instructor at the HLSCC, received a cheque of $500 from LIME as part of his prize and plans to use it to further his work as a young entrepreneur in the community.

Henry encouraged other entrepreneurs to also take risks in attempting to get their dreams of starting their own businesses off the ground.

Hull said plans are also on stream for the company’s promotion of talented locals to be continued on a monthly basis.