Exploring Life & Business with Nikki L May of Cake Slayer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki L May.

Hi Nikki, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
How do I get started in the Pastry Chef Industry? Well, I’ve always had a passion for cooking, baking & entertaining. Growing up as a child, watching my great-grandmother cook from scratch in the kitchen was always interesting. I wanted to know how she cooked homemade preserves, pound cakes & chow chow with such ease. To name a few things, she could cook well in the kitchen. Not to mention that her beloved husband was also a chef in the early 1950s. So, by me watching her cook from scratch inspired me to one day want to do the same. My mom & grandmother are also great cooks in the kitchen. I’ve been surrounded by inspiring, good-cooking women my whole life. Just being in the kitchen, whether it’s watching someone cook or me cooking myself, is my happy place. Fast forwarding to my adulthood, sometimes we need a little push. So, one day my best friend gave me a call informing me that I’ll receive a call from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. The call was made, and I took that leap of faith, and 15 months later, I completed my Pastry Class with high honors! It was an incredible experience learning more than I could ever know! My passion was baking cakes, but after receiving my credentials as a Pastry Chef, I’ve learned much more.

Now that I’m a Pastry Chef, the sky is the limit! I’m a true vegan at heart, so I convert some formulas to vegan-friendly ones when possible. So, as a Pastry Chef, I can prepare traditional & special dietary pastries & foods as requested. My passion for being a Pastry Chef is a dream come true! So, if I’m needed as a Personal Chef, Caterer, or Cake Baker, you’ll taste a little piece of my heart that’s left behind in my work! My goal is to make people smile, feel happy & enjoy the experience of eating delicious foods & pastries!

I look forward to becoming the best Pastry Chef that I can be & I’m excited to serve my community! Thanks for your time & have a blessed day!

Chef Nikki

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been smooth for me as a Pastry Chef. I’m constantly challenging myself to perfect my skills. As the saying goes, perfect practice makes perfect! There’s nothing too negative that can’t be reversed into something positive. There’s always room to improve, so take it one day at a time when the road seems rough.

As you know, we’re big fans of Cake Slayer. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is about vegan or traditional pastries or food. Preferably vegan, but I’m versatile when necessary. I love creating vegan desserts & seeing the reactions on people’s faces when they take the first bite. I specialize in vegan desserts & bread. I think this is one thing that makes me stand out. Some people aren’t vegan & love to experience my vegan desserts. I’m most proud brand-wise about my ability to switch from vegan or traditional formulas for my pastries. Even though I prepare mostly vegan menu items, I can also prepare traditional ones. My brand offers services such as being a Personal Chef, which means I prepare your meals in-house. My catering services are available, so I’ll prepare the food & deliver & set up the food for you. Lastly, just me being a Pastry Chef, whether I’m baking for an order of cupcakes, making fresh homemade bread, or making homemade preserves. Just contact me for either service & I’ll take care of your requests.

What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see myself as a Pastry Chef traveling around the world. My goal is to be a Personal Pastry Chef for private events & celebrity homes. That year when I got the contract to bake macaroons for the Louis Vuitton store private events in Charlotte, NC. It was a dream come true! So, having that experience has inspired me to dream big and serve my community!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Cakeslayerllc
• Facebook: Cake Slayer