WESH: Baking Expert Kristina Lavallee’s Rise — From Puerto Rican Bakery Passion to Viral Custom Cakes

In the WESH feature titled “’Proud of where you come from’: UCF grad creates flourishing, viral bakery after overcoming hardships”, baking expert and entrepreneur Kristina Lavallee (founder of The Cake Girl) shares how her Puerto Rican heritage, hospitality education and early career challenges fueled her success in the cake-business world. WESH

Interviewed by respected WESH anchor Nancy Alvarez, Kristina shares key milestones including:

• Studying hospitality and food service management at University of Central Florida (Rosen College of Hospitality Management) and building foundational culinary skills. WESH

• Facing discrimination early in her career for speaking Spanish — a moment that inspired her to create a business rooted in inclusivity. WESH

• Developing her signature Puerto Rican cake soaked in simple syrup and flavored with almond, which became a hallmark product. WESH

• Going viral after creating a high-profile custom cake for Tom Brady — which dramatically increased The Cake Girl’s visibility. WESH

• Launching a franchise expansion that intends to broaden the brand beyond Tampa and Orlando. WESH

  
  

This profile reinforces Kristina’s positioning as both an artistic baker and a strategic business leader — someone whose expertise spans custom design, brand growth and cultural storytelling.

🔗 Read the full article: WESH – ‘Proud of where you come from’: UCF grad creates flourishing, viral bakery after overcoming hardships