Jae’s Sinful Delights
BY VAL SCHOGER PHOTOS BY ERIC MARCUS, FOOD PHOTOS BY JAE'S SINFUL DELIGHTS
A new bakery has opened its doors at the Shoppes at Edgewater in Panama City Beach. With gorgeous interior design and a sweet, seductive menu, Jae’s Sinful Delights will impress the finest palate: Flavor-bursting cupcakes, soft baked cookies, colorful macarons, creamy cheesecake, mouthwatering chocolate cake – these are only a few of the favorite selections which change daily.
“What is so innovative about our baked goods is the unusual combination of flavors,” says owner and pastry chef, Jae Camino. “It makes us stand out from other bakeries.Many of our baked goods are gluten-free and we are reducing the amount of sugar in our recipes.“
Creations like the Toasted Almond Meringue Cake with Custard Cream Filling & Frosting, or the Cinnamon & Nutmeg Spiced Donut with Maple Glaze & Candied Organic Bacon, and not to forget the Roasted Red Beet Velvet Cake with Almond Cream Cheese & Toasted Pecans. All sound and taste heavenly.
All treats are made fresh daily with all-natural ingredients. Early shoppers can watch Jae and his crew at work through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall.It allows a full view into the commercial kitchen.
In line with the tasty treats, the entire store is Jae’s vision of a perfect bakery and cake shopping and tasting experience. “We went through an extensive rebuilding phase.We gutted everything and custom ordered all furniture, lighting, and displays. One of my friends in Miami, an interior designer, dedicated several months to perfecting this space.”
All interior design components are playing together to make the shopping experience fun and exciting. At the very center of the store is a cake consultation room where shoppers can sample and order custom cakes for special occasions. The room is a stunning construction of glass and bright red walls that looks like a giant gift box.It even has a bow on top.
Several team members work behind the counter while assistant pastry chef Heather Regan and Jae Camino come up with new flavor-bursting treats on a daily basis. Heather has earned her culinary degree at Stratford University in Newport News, Virginia. She worked as a chef in Colonial Williamsburg, a mecca for fine food and dining and has moved back to Bay County for the opportunity to work in Jae’s start-up bakery.
Jae was an infant when his parents moved to the United States from the Philippines where his father owns a chemical company. His mother started a catering company in New York when he was little. Jae has three older siblings, Karen, Kent, and Diane. All of the family members are accomplished business people who were able to provide valuable advice for Jae’s startup.
Jae first visited Northwest Florida five years ago. “I fell in love with the beaches.I’ve been coming here for vacation since then and officially moved here last year.” Jae has a business degree and, during his previous careers, he worked at Grey Global Advertising, in the fashion industry, and as an event coordinator for the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Cooking and baking are Jae’s true passions and have been a part of his life since he can remember. As a young boy, he would help his mother with her catering business and continued to hone his skills throughout the years. “I started baking cakes for friends.It was a lot of fun and everyone was very supportive. Soon, there was a real demand for my cakes.” He recalls a situation in New York where he and a friend attempted to transport a three-tiered cake to its destination by cab. It was the height of summer and the 100-degree weather took its toll. The bottom tier was lost in a culmination of events. “It was not funny at the time but makes for a good story now,” says Jae.
He would probably still live in New York if it had not been for a life-changing event. Jae was seriously injured in a car accident and, after recovery, he decided to follow his heart and passion and pursue cooking and baking full-time.
“Everyone told me I was crazy to start a new business in a completely new place. I had been coming to Panama City on vacation and did not know much about it other than it has great real estate prices. I found this property and it was perfect as far as square footage and its location right next to one of my favorite restaurants, Firefly.”
This entrepreneur chose Panama City over New York and he is fully dedicated to making his custom creations a sweet success.
Jae’s Sinful Delights is open Sunday and Monday from noon to 6 p.m., closed on Tuesday, open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. Check out their daily specials on their Facebook page.
[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2013/08/Val.jpg” ]Val studied communications and marketing in Germany and holds a marketing degree. She had a corporate career and has worked for nine years in media, PR and marketing internationally in Germany, England, the Caribbean and the United States. During an extended sailboat cruise n 2003, she traveled to the Gulf Coast and subsequently to Navarre, Florida and was immediately smitten with Northwest Florida. She started her first business in 2004 in Fort Walton Beach and as of July 2013, she became the sole owner and publisher of Panama City Living Magazine. She obtained her Merchant Mariner Credential (Captain’s License) right here in Panama City at SeaSchool and enjoys being on the water when she finds the time. [/author]