A burning desire to symbolise the fulfilling of her parents’ dreams, a love for food, especially baked products, and building a legacy for future generations are the ingredients that have combined for Paris Ruby Gourmet.

That’s the vision of Zelecia Smith, founder of Paris Ruby Gourmet, located at Overton Plaza in Montego Bay, St James.

Smith describes this as a major achievement for her and a big step forward in advancing her dreams of being an international brand. This especially after leaving her job as a banker at a major commercial bank and deciding to go for her dreams.

“In 2015, I decided a change was needed. This led to me trying to discover what skill I was good at and could take me to the level I wanted to be. I found that I loved cakes and cooking. So I decided to give it a try, started with fruitcakes and by the next year it was an official business for me. I really love cakes, and for me they must be enjoyable. At times I would go to the supermarket and the cakes from there just did not have a home feel or taste. So, I decided to create that for myself and I found that other persons enjoyed it just the same. The influences and my baking style I got from my grandmother, mother and a family friend, Ms Carmen, who did fruitcakes just the way I like it. I tweaked it, pulled from my grandmother’s recipe and created my own,” Smith stated.

“This business means legacy, family, for me. I want to build it to where my daughter or son can take it over if they want to. My father was a woodworker and my mom wanted to own a flower shop as she loved flowers. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to realise their dreams to the fullest. My family has a history of baking cakes from my grandmother to mother and now me, that’s something I’m proud to carry on. The streaks in my logo signify wood, flowers for my mom and the Paris Ruby for the daughter I want to have, that can carry on the baking tradition. It’s past, present and future depicted in it,” Smith explained.

Smith added further that she’s still experimenting in the kitchen as she continues to refine her two signature offerings, fruitcake and cheesecake.

— Text & photos by Aceion Cunningham

Paris Ruby Gourmet

Address: Shop 7 Overton Plaza, Union Street, Montego Bay

Tele: 876-223-8764 &

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:30 pm; Saturdays 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sundays 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

IG: @parisrubycakes

Website: www.parisruby.com