It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Arizona’s legendary Rum cake creator, and Lisa's mother, Cathy (Mimi) Bua. She was loved & cherished by her daughter Lisa, and granddaughters Lauren, Megan, and Madison. Cathy was famous across the valley for her business, Cathy’s Rum Cake®, which opened on 11/5/1975. This year marks 50 years since she opened her little bakery in Chandler, which grew to serve celebrities, politicians, movie stars, famous athletes, and more. Her passion for food and throwing fabulous parties earned her two hall of fame awards from the Arizona Culinary Institute, along with many other local awards for best dessert, best cake, and best catering. It is with great gratitude and honor, that she passed the torch to us, the next generation (Lisa’s Rum Cake). We continue to proudly serve Cathy’s iconic, time-honored tradition across Arizona with love. Our Mimi was truly the Martha Stewart of Arizona. Nobody could craft a tables cape like her. This page is dedicated to her legacy, and we will be sharing stories, memories, and more, as we continue honoring her. We love and miss you, mom/Mimi.
If you would like to share a story, memory, tradition or photo of Cathy's Rum Cake, please email it to cakes@lisasrumcake.com. Thank you for trusting our family to continue this cake legacy.
Four Generations of Rum Cake Queens
Top left to right: Lisa, Cathy (Mimi), Megan, Madison. Bottom: Lauren, and Fay (Nana).
How It Started
The story behind the rum cake's early beginnings are probably not what you would expect. Cathy and her husband, Tony, were stationed at Williams Air force Base, during Tony's days with the Air Force. While on base, Cathy was asked to host parties for the generals and their wives. For these parties, Cathy would delight her guests with her family's cake recipe. It wasn't a rum cake, but a lemon cake. The compliments she received, grew to customer requests to purchase cakes. As the demand for Cathy's cakes grew, so did the courage to open her own bakery. On November 5, 1975, Cathy opened her tiny bakery at 181 N. Dakota Street by the San Marcos Golf Course, in Chandler, AZ. The lemon cake led to what would become the famous Rum Cake. Combined with cakes, Cathy's true passion was cooking. As an Italian women, she showed her love for others by whipping up feasts for all occasions. Cathy's Rum Cake & Catering Inc was officially born. We can't wait to continue the story, so stay tuned...