Jodi Willoughby and Carolyne McIntyre Jackson

We’re excited to have Crave Cupcakes co-founders Jodi Willoughby and Carolyne McIntyre Jackson join us for our First Friday event of May. Come hear about Crave’s history, the business, and how Crave Cupcakes has evolved from the opening of the first Crave Cupcakes in Calgary’s Kensington area to the 2025 publication of their Crave book of recipes.

Carolyne McIntyre Jackson, co-founder of Crave Cupcakes, started her career with Safeway, before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey with her sister Jodi, establishing Crave in 2004. Carolyne lives with her husband Tony and son Oliver in Calgary, Alberta. Jodi Willoughby, co-founder of Crave Cupcakes, worked as a clinical director at a high-risk pre-school before teaming up with her sister Carolyne to establish Crave in 2004. Jodi lives with her husband Chris and sons Mac and Griffen in Calgary, Alberta.

Growing up on the family farm near High River, Alberta, sisters Carolyne McIntyre Jackson and Jodi Willoughby were surrounded by talented bakers, including their mother, grandmothers, and aunts. In the twenty years since the pair launched their business, Crave has become famous across the Prairies and beyond for its delicious, beautifully decorated cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, and the pale blue Crave box itself synonymous with special events. To celebrate the bakery’s twentieth year in business, Carolyne and Jodi share over 70 of their favourite sweet recipes with home cooks.