Las Vegas Baker Turns Adversity Into Something Sweet
A Las Vegas Baker turned a death sentence into a sweet situation, and he now shares it with locals around the Las Vegas Valley.
James Northington, originally from Alabama, created “From Scratch by James.” The local baker brings southern hospitality to all of his dessert creations. James had diabetes for over 32 years, which caused him to need a double organ transplant of the kidneys and pancreas. But, James knew that this mountain he would have to climb would make him stronger. After recovering from the transplant, he decided to start baking.
He now creates cakes that range from all types of flavors and can be used for any occasion. But another highlight of the business is that James is conscious about the sugar content of the cakes. Due to dealing with diabetes and previous health issues, he ensures he can create cakes that are less sweet but still packed with full-fledge flavor.
How This Las Vegas Baker Got Started
James grew up in Marion, Alabama where he watched his grandmother cook, bake, and create things from scratch.
According to Northington, he would ask his grandmother to teach him how to cook, and she would say “Men are not supposed to cook.” James was determined to prove to his grandmother that men not only could cook but should follow their passion. And there’s no doubt that baking was his.
His grandmother woke up one morning, and James had all of the ingredients out and ready to use. When his grandmother asked how he knew what to use, his response was, “I’ve been watching you for the last six years.” He believed this was his opportunity to show the matriarch that he was ready to cook.
After tasting his biscuits, which were made from scratch, his grandmother gave him the seal of approval to cook.
What This Las Vegas Baker Has to Offer
With a variety of cakes such as sheet cakes, cheesecakes, gender-reveal cakes, pies, and more, Las Vegas adores the variety of cakes he offers. Some of the most popular and delicious flavors include “The Sunset Dream/Pineapple Mango Cheesecake with Cinnamon Coconut,” “Chocolate Heat Bomb/Chocolate Cake with Spice Chocolate Ganache,” “Pecan Coconut Pineapple Upside Down Pound Cake,” “Turtle Cheesecake,” “Strawberry Jam Cake,” and more. I had the pleasure of tasting the “Sweet Potato Tart” as well as the “At-Your-Own-Risk Chocolate Cake,” which is a triple chocolate cake that’s often called “the best chocolate cake in Vegas.” Each of these delights will take your tastebuds on a journey of flavors. The texture of these cakes is second to none.
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According to James’s website, James’ fun and sassy personality is reflected in his baked goods that feature unique and creative flavors. They’re spontaneously mixed to keep your taste buds guessing every time! And I can attest that his cakes are everything I love in a dessert and more!
The 5 Best Milkshakes In Vegas, According To Locals
Like any other type of food, finding the best milkshakes in Vegas could be tough if you don’t know where to look. We have so many options for all kinds of cuisine, how do you know where to go to get any of it and have a guaranteed good experience? That’s easy. You ask the locals. And when it comes to finding the best milkshakes in Vegas, we don’t mind doing that legwork for you. Fine, fine. We’ll drink a lot of ice cream deliciousness and report back. Twist our arms.
Related: 5 Places Locals Go For The Best New York Pizza In Vegas
Obviously you can head to the Las Vegas Strip at any time when you’re looking for any kind of food. And you’ll always find a plethora of options to satisfy those taste buds. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory sells the most amazing chocolate milkshakes you’ve ever had. So much so that it’s hard to finish one. They’re that rich. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop is also an option, with a name that’s almost synonymous with “ice cream” these days. They have milkshakes on their menu.
Or you could always stop in to Sugar Factory on the Strip for a drink that’s half shake, half art. And that always comes with the chance for a celebrity sighting too, if that’s your thing.
All of those options and more are something locals might suggest if we were headed to the Strip. But when you’re not planning to deal with all that traffic and tourism, it’s not worth the drive just to get a milkshake. Sorry, Bobby. Your milkshakes are good, but they’re not “fight all the cars and crowds, pay for parking, and spend $15 on a single shake” good.
Where Locals Go For The Best Milkshakes In Vegas
Okay, Flay’s shakes probably are that good, but we don’t need to make that sacrifice when we have so many great options for milkshakes that are closer to home. We asked locals on Reddit where they like to go for the best milkshakes in Vegas. These are the top five places they said.
