Maci’s Authentic Rum Cakes
Spotlight: Marcia Legister
Company: Maci’s Authentic Rum Cakes
SPF Launchpad Attendee: 2023
Website: www.macisauthenticrumcakes.com
Marcia launched Maci’s Authentic Rum Cakes in 2021. What began as home baking has grown into a recognised presence at markets and festivals across London.
Her signature rum-infused cakes, developed through a lengthy fruit-immersing process and now available in gluten-free, low-sugar, alcohol-free, and vegan varieties, built a loyal following one sample at a time.
Through the SPF: Launchpad programme, Marcia received a grant that helped her invest in biodegradable packaging, a website, and the equipment needed to trade more efficiently at markets. She also became a regular at Trampoline’s Makers’ Market at Liverpool Grove, and it was there that one of her more unexpected opportunities arrived.
Unexpected opportunities
At her first market, a customer tried a sample, said very little, and handed her his card. A call from his secretary followed. He was part of a group of investment bankers in the City. “It was a very successful event,” Marcia recalls, “and we have since been asked to come back every month to trade within the corporate world.”
Since then, Maci’s Authentic Rum Cakes has continued to expand its reach, trading at large-scale festivals including Taste of the Caribbean and the Lambeth Country Show, which attracts footfall of more than 120,000 people. The business has also appeared at community pop-up markets and events throughout London, building a strong and loyal customer base.
The company achieved another milestone by securing retail placement in Nisa Local
Maci’s was also nominated as a finalist in the Best Rum Cake category at the 2025 UK Caribbean Food Awards, further recognising the quality and reputation of the brand. More recently, the company achieved another milestone by securing retail placement in Nisa Local, where customers can now purchase Maci’s cakes directly in-store.
It is a reminder that markets do more than generate footfall. For Maci’s, a single conversation at a community stall opened a recurring monthly contract in an entirely different sector, while local markets and festivals continue to create opportunities for growth, visibility, and lasting community connections.
