ARTIST Carole Holding has turned her hand to the kitchen, developing a range of cakes flavoured by Bacardi rum.

The cakes were launched yesterday in four delectable flavours ? chocolate with Bacardi Gold rum, original with Bacardi Gold rum, lemon cake with coconut and Bacardi Limon and orange cake with chopped citrus and Bacardi 'O' citrus rum. The cakes are available in two sizes. The four-ounce boxed cake sells for $7 while a two-pound cake, packaged in a gold tin, tied with a chiffon ribbon and gift card sells for $29.95.

"I am always thinking about new ideas to expand my product line," said Ms Holding, who is also a professional chef. "I am a real fan of Bacardi liquors and since I already use the products in my jams and marmalades, I thought it would be a great idea to use them in the cakes. I tested many, many recipes over the last two years and I am really pleased with the finished products. The liquor flavour is extremely subtle and the cakes really are delicious.

"I have launched them now, as I think the small cakes will make great hostess or office gifts for the upcoming holiday season, and the large cakes will make great desserts for hostesses who want a home made cake but don't have time to prepare one themselves."

Ms Holding received her professional chef qualification in 1962 from Brighton Technical College. A Dame de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, she is also a member of the Ordre Mondial ? the wine society of the Chaine des Rotisseurs.

The public is invited for free tastes of the cakes in the Carole Holding Store on Front Street during Harbour Nights, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and tomorrow, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Samples will also be available at Lindo's in Warwick between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. tomorrow and between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6. As well, they will be available at Miles Market in Hamilton between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. tomorrow.

The cakes are also available online, at .