Three youngsters create unique BVI rum cake
While a wave of BVIslanders continue to make their mark in sports, three youngsters are leaving a tasty mark in the culinary world with their new BVI rum cake, infused with rum from a traditional distillery in Cane Garden Bay.
The three BVIslanders are Chanelle and Alyssa Harrigan and Kevin Jones who co-founded Nyammin’ in 2019, with an aim to enhance Caribbean awareness through cuisine and culture.
The trio originally launched Nyammin’ in the UK but wanted to launch a rum cake in their home country. Given its rich BVI heritage, they partnered with the Callwood Rum Distillery.
The Callwood Rum Distillery is the only operating rum distillery in the British Virgin Islands and has been making rum for more than 200 years in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola.
“We are so proud to be partnering with the Callwood Rum Distillery for the launch of our new BVI rum cake,” says Chanelle Harrigan, Nyammin’ co-founder. “We wanted to create a product that celebrates BVI heritage and culture and grew up learning about the history of the distillery so it’s amazing that we’re able to collaborate with them for our first product launched at home.”
The Nyammin’ BVI rum cake is locally made and uses Arundel’s Original Dark rum which is aged for four years. Dried fruit is soaked in the rum for maximum flavour, a nod to the traditional method of making rum cakes in the BVI.
The creators share that the cake has a rich dark colour inspired by the rum cakes the Nyammin’ co-founders would eat growing up, which were always dark in appearance. The cake is four inches with a larger size available upon request.
Co-founder and head chef Kevin Jones dedicated countless hours developing and refining the recipe through 10 baking trials.
“Every rum is different so I wanted to find the right amount of each ingredient to complement the delicious notes in Arundel’s Original Dark rum,” said Kevin Jones. “I’m very patriotic so being able to collaborate with the Callwood Rum Distillery, which is also deep-rooted in BVI culture, is a dream come true.”
The packaging incorporates colours from the BVI flag and has a design dedicated to highlighting BVI beauty and aspects the Nyammin’ co-founders love about their home country. It includes:
The Hibiscus flower — found all over the islands and a popular earring design which was a childhood favourite for Chanelle and Alyssa
Monohull yacht — named “284” to represent the country’s area code and being commonly referred to as the “sailing capital of the world”.
The beach — representing the stunning white sand beaches across the BVI.
These rum cakes are currently available at the Callwood Rum Distillery, Initial Artistry (BVI Apparel House) at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and Swirlzzz and KennyTees at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. Nyammin’ aims to expand across the islands in 2024 and beyond.
The cakes are also available for wholesale and corporate orders.
For more information about the Nyammin’ BVI rum cake, persons may visit www.nyammin.com/bvi-rum-cake or contact [email protected].
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I tried one , very delicious but unfortunately very expensive $16.00 for a small cake.
My classmates have spent countless hours and money investing in the quality of their products; please respect their craft.
Eat your $16.00 and see how fulfilling it will be. Everything is expensive these days. I hate going to the stores, but I must.
Don’t be so cheap. Spend the money and buy the good quality care.
A fruit cake with rum in it
It’s a great initiative and the business owners should be proud. I’m going to hunt one out.
BUT the owners need to check their web site carefully. Under the FAQs, it is stated that the cakes are only available for shipping in the UK. Even worse, they say that the cakes are made with Chairman’s Reserve Rum from St. Lucia. Come on guys – get your marketing right! Are these really BVI cakes made here in the BVI or are they UK cakes made in the UK with St. Lucia rum???
The young persons make & sell two different rum cakes. One rum cake in the BVI that is made with BVI rum (a partnership with our local Callwood Rum Distillery). They also sell another rum cake in the UK which is made with Chairman’s Reserve Rum or “St Lucian rum” as you pointed out. They’ve been selling rum cakes in the UK for a few years & BVI residents residing in the UK have supported them; I can only imagine that the BVI rum cake is just as delicious as the Chairman’s Reserve version. I’m sure they’ll get their website updated with both offerings in due course. Please purchase the BVI rum cake from the BVI distributors and support the youngsters!
I will happily support the initiative, but since the article specifically directs you to the web-site, which has incorrect information, there will be confusion. It’s a lesson to the youngsters that details are very important and that errors should be fixed first before going public. “In due course” doesn’t cut it in today’s international business world.
This is a great initiative! Congrats to the youngsters. I’m so proud that I will now be able to buy a rum cake made with rum from the Callwood Distillery. I just wish it was more widely available and hopefully one day in the not too distant future it will be.
Sixteen bucks, for a rum cake?
And, this is what the noise is about?
I say, it’s an affordable luxury, since hair, nails, cars, and clothes, are waaay more expensive, and y’all are still purchasing ’em!
Congratulations, young ‘uns!
Continya to make our country proud!
Wonderful Wonderful
The best wishes for success and lasting fame.
Thank You for being another Diamond in our Crown.