From the aroma of soaked fruits to the final golden bake, the classic fruitcake is the soul of a Jamaican Christmas. Carrying the weight of tradition in every bite, it’s the staple of every holiday table, shared among family and friends, creating lasting memories.

Six bakers from across the island faced the ultimate test on Thursday, December 18, converging at the S Hotel’s Valencia A room in New Kingston for the 2025 Jamaica Observer Christmas Bake-Off Challenge.

The journey began on November 30 with 31 hopefuls submitting video entries of their unique creations. Following the December 12 deadline and a preliminary judging round on December 15, the field was narrowed to six finalists, who were given the opportunity to showcase their baking skills to event conceptualiser Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor, Lifestyle and Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte; Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judges Matthew Hogarth and Patricia Henry-Brown; Supreme Ventures Limited Assistant Vice-President, PR and Corporate Affairs Chloleen Daley-Muschett; Supreme Route Limited General Manager Warren Wilson; and Tooksies Jamaica principal Alexa Von Strolley.

Partnering with The Jamaica Observer this year were Supreme Ventures Limited, J Wray & Nephew, Gas Pro Massy Distributors, Cal’s Manufacturing, Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances, Perry’s Manufacturing, and the S Hotel Kingston.

Following McDonald-Whyte’s opening remarks and congratulations to the six finalists, Daley-Muschett took the floor on behalf of the sponsors, underscoring the vital importance of preserving the traditional Jamaican Christmas spirit, particularly as the nation continues its recovery in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

“It is a pleasure to continue supporting an event like this. It is especially important that, in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, to really celebrate the spirit of Jamaica and what makes us who we are. And Christmas cake at Christmastime is essential to who we are,” Daley-Muschett said.

The stakes were high, with finalists competing for a bounty of prizes that included cash, gift baskets, and free gas refills.

Briefings complete, the stage was now set for the final round. Whose cake would reign supreme?

Judging criteria focused on visual appeal, taste, texture, and the balance of ingredients like alcohol and fruit. The six finalists — Kai Bernard, Lashaire Fletcher, Marie Harvey, Marissa Griffiths, Olivia Coley, and 2024 finalist Tashna Morris — took turns presenting their cakes to the panel, detailing the inspirations that fuelled their entries.

The judges carefully navigated a parade of flavours and textures as they sampled a diverse range of techniques: Bernard’s fruitcake with a French twist, featuring a layered gateau with sorrel and ginger sauce; Fletcher’s whimsical cupcake-style fruitcake topped with a cherry; and Harvey’s traditional entry, which highlighted fruits stewed in sorrel. Griffiths presented a traditional offering based on her mother’s recipe, finished with classic royal icing, while Coley offered a rich, traditional cake paired with sorrel. Rounding out the tasting was Morris, whose entry featured fruits soaked since last year, complemented by a rich brandy sauce.

Once the final bites were sampled the judges retreated to knock heads over the entries. Following tough deliberations, Bernard’s French-inspired gateau emerged the victor.

The Montego Bay-based line cook and content creator took home the grand prize of $200,000 courtesy of Supreme Ventures, along with a suite of prizes: Gift baskets from J Wray & Nephew, Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances, Cal’s Manufacturing, Gas Pro which also included two free gas refills, and a $30,000 gift voucher from Perry’s.

For Bernard, the victory was even more poignant given the obstacles he faced. Despite the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, which forced him to submit his entry at the very last minute, he emerged triumphant — a testament to his perseverance under pressure.

“I had no power until the day before the December 12 deadline. “I relied on a power bank from my mom to power through my video submission edits. My family gave me space for me to bake everything and my friends contributed money to buy the ingredients for the bake test,” Bernard said. “If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here.”

Inspired by the 2022 iteration of Jamaica Observer Christmas Bake-Off Challenge, Bernard spent the next few years experimenting with French techniques to elevate the traditional fruitcake. His efforts were not in vain.

“The first time I saw the bake off I wanted to make a fruitcake tartlet. The year after that I had tried an entremet. Last year I made another gateau, but it wasn’t that refined… I was determined, however, that this was the year that I would enter,” he stressed.

Coley secured second place, taking home $100,000 from Supreme Ventures. Along with the cash prize, Coley received a $20,000 gift voucher from Perry’s and gift baskets from Wray & Nephew, Cal’s Manufacturing, Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances, and Gas Pro Massy Distributors — which included a free gas refill.

Harvey copped third place, earning $50,000 from Supreme Ventures plus a $10,000 Perry’s gift voucher, free gas refill and gift baskets.

Kai Bernard explained the inspiration behind his Christmas cake to the panel of judges (from left) Patricia Henry-Brown, Alexa Von Strolley, and Novia McDonald-Whyte. Garfield Robinson

Kai Bernard’s French-inspired Christmas cakeGarfield Robinson

Supreme Route Limited General Manager Warren Wilson sampled Kai Bernard’s French-inspired Christmas cake. Garfield Robinson

Lashaire Fletcher presented the panel with her entry — a miniature flavour-packed version of the traditional fruitcake. Garfield Robinson

Lashaire Fletcher’s Christmas cake Garfield Robinson

Marissa Griffiths showcased her entry to the panel — a Christmas cake crafted from her mother’s recipe. Garfield Robinson

Marissa Griffths’s Christmas cake Garfield Robinson

Last year’s finalist Tashna Morris presented her Christmas cake to the judges. Garfield Robinson

Tashna Morris’s Christmas cake complemented with brandy sauce.Garfield Robinson

Kai Bernard’s winning Christmas fruitcake.Garfield Robinson

Jamaica Observer Christmas Cake Bake-Off 2025 winner Kai Bernard receives his symbolic cheque of $200,000 from Supreme Ventures Limited Assistant Vice-President, PR and Corporate Affairs Chloleen Daley-Muschett.Garfield Robinson

The Jamaica Observer Christmas Bake-Off 2025 Challenge judges (from left) Supreme Ventures Assistant Vice-President, PR and Corporate Affairs Chloleen Daley-Muschett; Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge Matthew Hogarth; event conceptualiser and Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor, Lifestyle and Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte; Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge Patricia Henry-Brown; and Tooksies Jamaica principal Alexa Von Strolley. Garfield Robinson

Jamaica Observer Christmas Bake-Off Challenge judge Alexa Von Strolley finalised the tally for Lashaire Fletcher’s entry. Garfield Robinson

Supreme Ventures Limited Assistant Vice-President, PR and Corporate Affairs Chloleen Daley-Muschett (left) awarded the symbolic cheque of $50,000 to third-place winner Marie Harvey.Garfield Robinson

Marie Harvey (standing) details the traditional techniques used for her Christmas cake to Jamaica Observer Christmas Bake-Off Challenge judges (from left) Patricia Henry-Brown, Alexa Von Strolley, Novia McDonald-Whyte, and Chloleen Daley-Muschett. Garfield Robinson

Olivia Coley shared the inspiration behind her Christmas cake to the judges. Garfield Robinson

Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge Matthew Hogarth sampled Olivia Coley’s Christmas cake served with a shot of sorrel. Garfield Robinson

Supreme Ventures Limited Assistant Vice-President, PR and Corporate Affairs Chloleen Daley-Muschett (left) presented the symbolic cheque of $100,000 to second-place winner Olivia Coley. Garfield Robinson

Marie Harvey’s traditional Christmas cake entry Garfield Robinson

Olivia Coley’s fruitcake presented with a shot of sorrel. Garfield Robinson