Bolt’s gold takes the cake for Sunrise Bakery

A BIRMINGHAM bakery may have played a small part in helping the world’s fastest man – Usain Bolt – to his gold medal winning victory in the Olympic 100m final.

Sunrise Bakery struck a deal with Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham to supply its locally made rum cake to every member of the Jamaican track and field team during their stay in Birmingham.

All 80 athletes, including sprint stars Usain Bolt and his silver medal-winning colleague Yohan Blake, received a commemorative ‘Paradise Estates’ cake baked at the company’s facility in Smethwick.

The firm, which employs 27 people, also worked with Sugarcraft Box to create an Olympic-themed cake that formed the centre piece of displays at the gala dinner held in July.

Errol Drummond, Managing Director, said: “The cake is made from a secret family recipe and is made up of dried fruit, soaked in port, sherry and Caribbean rum.

“We first launched it last year and demand has come from all over the UK – some people are actually using it as a celebration cake.

“Each athlete had either a fruit or plain rum cake waiting for them in their room. It is specially decorated to mark the Olympics so they can either use it as a keepsake or a ‘treat’…naturally to enjoy after they’ve competed.”

Sunrise Bakery is hoping its involvement with the Jamaican athletics team will spark a rush of sales for its ‘Paradise Estates’ range.

In addition to the rum cake, the company has also supplied its traditional range of hard dough bread and spice buns to the University of Birmingham and for official use at London 2012.

“We are one of a select number of suppliers that have been chosen to deliver our Caribbean products to the Olympic Village for the athletes and officials to enjoy,” added Mr Drummond.

“To think that our breads and buns are being eaten by some of the world’s best athletes is fantastic and it will certainly provide a great boost for the business. The work will definitely safeguard jobs too.”