Growing up in Cape Coral, James Shannon spent a lot of time with his grandmother. Not only did she impart her wisdom and values on him but also her love of baking.
“I grew up baking with Grandma,” says James, founder of the Breaking Bread Bakery. “On weekends we would make a cake or cupcakes, cookies or something to pass the time. Baking became a passion.”
Andrew West
James Shannon,20, is owner of Breaking Bread Bakery. He bakes out of his home. He sells through his website, facebook and other means including farmer markets.
James has been turning heads lately at charity events and private functions with cupcake creations such as Pineapple Upside, Campfire Favorite and Kiss of Death.
Officially open about a year, James’ niche at Breaking Bread is creating unique and unusual flavor profiles, such as chicken and waffle cupcakes. The base is a bourbon and maple syrup cake with maple syrup frosting. Real fried chicken and waffles are added to the top for a sweet and savory, soft and crunchy treat.
“I like to experiment with flavors and things that typically don’t go together. It’s a nice surprise to find that it works,” the culinary expert says.
As James honed his skills in the kitchen with his grandmother, he would bake for church events, friends and family.
“People started buying what I made, and Ienjoyed it, so I figured I should pursue it more,”he says.
James researched culinary schools, toured various campuses and took summer classes before enrolling at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, where he studied baking and pastry.
“Culinary school is expensive, so I did my homework. I wanted to make sure this was really something I wanted to do,” he says.
Cupcakes baked by James Shannon,20, the owner of Breaking Bread Bakery.
While his grandmother taught him passion, Johnson & Wales taught him technique. He learned how to make French pastries, breads, ice cream and more. When not in the kitchen classroom, James worked in the kitchen at the famed Fontainebleau hotel, where he got experience in volume, speed and hospitality in general.
“I always knew, since I was a kid, that I would own my own business or enterprise. I didn’t know about being an entrepreneur when I was young, I just knew I wanted to be in charge.”
Besides decadent cakes, cupcakes and the like, James makes sweetened breads, such as cinnamon and raisin or lemon. Classic breads are the next item on the list for this perfectionist to perfect.
His favorite flavors are those that combine sweet and salty.
“I made a caramel popcorn cupcake that was simply amazing,” he says. “It has to be one of top five that I’ve made.”
James first made a caramel cake, frosted it with salted vanilla butter cream and then topped it with handmade caramel popcorn.
Besides innovation, quality ingredients are also key for James.
“I use real butter for my frosting, no substitutes, no cutting corners like a lot of bakers do,” he says.
He also makes his own flavor extracts using natural ingredients.
“It makes a difference. I go that extra step, so I can really control what I create,” he says. “Say for instance a black pepper extract. I can make it, or I can spend time looking for it to buy. I’d rather make it, and it’s a unique selling point.”
Andrew West/The News-Press
James Shannon,20, is owner of Breaking Bread Bakery. He bakes out of his home. He sells through his website, facebook and other means including farmer markets.
Breaking Bread Bakery products are custom made and sold direct to consumer (thebreakingbreadbakery.com); however, James’ vision is to have a storefront in Southwest Florida.
His grandmother now lives in Georgia, but he speaks with her on a regular basis.
“She is a smart business woman. I can talk to her about baking and business. It’s the best of both worlds,” he says.
It’s not just her skills in the kitchen, or in business, but also in life that have rubbed off on the young entrepreneur.
“She guided me with life principles that I didn’t fully grasp until I got older,” James says. “The small things, like looking someone in the eye, shaking their hand and dressing properly.”
Success comes from more than just skill and passion, according to James. “It’s the little things that stand out, like treating people with respect. Something so simple can be so impactful.”
About his business name, James says, “Breaking Bread Bakery encompasses all that I want with my desserts. Food brings us together; it unites all types of people. I want to create a feeling of hospitality, togetherness and happiness. We are in a time where that is really needed.”