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Dee’s Babycakes to participate in the Sweetest Chefs of the South event

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De'jonae Curtis displaying cupcakes from her business, Dee's Babycakes,

Lights, camera, action, cupcakes!

Eat Y’all, an organization that connects family farms and food producers with chefs, is hosting the fifth annual Sweetest Chefs of the South pastry chef showcase event in Ridgeland, Miss., on Monday, Sept.9. The competition will feature 15 chefs from all over the South, three of whom will be demonstrating their skills on stage, and three local junior pastry chefs will assist them. The junior pastry chefs are Khloe Barnard, Andrew Clark and one of Vicksburg’s own, 9-year-old De’jonae Curtis.

Curtis is the owner of Dee’s Babycakes of Vicksburg and has been recognized all over the state on media outlets such as WLBT News, 97.3 SuperTalk Radio, Mix 98.7 and River 101 Radio for her baking skills.

Curtis joined the baking industry after developing interests in food and business from her family.

“I started to help my mom in the kitchen when I was 6 years old, and I just really like doing that,” Curtis said. “My brother’s all had businesses at the time, and I wanted a business of my own. I tried different ones but they didn’t seem to work out for me; however, once I found my passion for baking, that’s when I started my business.”

De’jonae Curtis, owner of Dee’s Babycakes.

Since joining the pastry profession, Curtis’ menu has grown.

“I bake a lot of stuff,” she said. “I do treats, chocolate covered strawberries, pretzels, cookies, pound cakes, that’s the main item that I started out doing. I bake cupcakes, cheesecakes and that’s about it.”

Her talent in the kitchen has not gone unnoticed. Curtis will soon take a quick journey to Ridgeland to participate in the Sweetest Chefs contest, where she will be assisting a professional chef. 

She admits that the thought of participating is nerve wracking, but with the support of her family and community, she is well prepared.

“I’m very excited but nervous at the same time, because I don’t know what to expect,” Curtis said. “I don’t know how big the stage is. … There will be 15 chefs from seven states to come, and they picked a few junior pastry chefs as well to assist them, and that’s what I will be. I’ll be helping one of the chefs on the stage. … I was happy, but I didn’t know what it was until my mom explained it to me.”

In the future Curtis hopes to expand her baking business.

Cupcakes by

“I think I want to go bigger,” she said. “I want to get more supplies and make new cupcakes, get new clients and things like that.”

In addition to being selected for Sweetest Chefs, Curtis was also selected to audition for “The Little Big Shots,” a show that displays talented youth.

If you’re in need of some sweet treats, contact Curtis through the Dee’s Babycakes Facebook page and indulge in some of her delicious pastries. You can also attend the Sweetest Chefs of the South event to support her and the rest of the chefs in competition. Tickets are $39.

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