The University of West London (UWL) has awarded chef and alumna Jayanne Scarrott an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration for her exceptional skill in the culinary arts and success as an entrepreneur.

A chef who specialises in cake artistry, patisserie, and confectionery, Jayanne is founder of Cake Girl London, a thriving bespoke business with a reputation for serving high-end clients and prestigious establishments. Through blending classic techniques with contemporary design, she has created a trusted brand known for delivering stunning, custom-made cakes.

While training as a chef, Jayanne gravitated towards assisting in the bakery department. She had the good fortune to work with Michelin Star chefs, notably Michael Caines and Gary Rhodes. As Jayanne’s love for cake-making developed, she received requests from family and friends for cakes. It was the overwhelming positive feedback from her first ‘real’ wedding cake created for her sister that finally convinced her to become a full-time cake maker.

After several years of baking from her home in Chertsey, Surrey, it was clear Cake Girl London needed more space and whilst looking for suitable premises the chance to combine a bakery and café was an opportunity to good to miss and the Cake Girl Café was born.

Cake Girl has made cakes for well-known companies such as Jimmy Choo, Mulberry, Amazon, eBay, The Laughing Cow, The Rolling Stones, PA Housing, Bonne Maman, Twickenham Rugby Stadium, and GlaxoSmithKline and famous people including David Attenborough, Roger Federer, and Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson.

“Jayanne has actively contributed to the academic environment at the University of West London by conducting master classes and facilitating student visits to her establishments,” said Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism James Edmunds before presenting her with the award.

“Her expertise and experience offer valuable real-world perspectives to students, making her an inspiring figure for both culinary and business communities alike.”
 
“My journey started here at the University of West London, where I trained as a pastry chef in 2002,” said Jayanne on receiving the award. “The support and skills I gained from UWL were crucial in helping me turn my passion into a career, and for that, I’m so incredibly grateful.”

“Hard work, persistence, and self-belief are the keys to success,” she told the graduands. “Dreams do not happen overnight, but with dedication, they do come true.”