April Melendez

Australia

April Melendez is the founder, owner and Head Baker of BUI & Co., also known as Baking Under the Influence, a small-batch business making alcohol-infused jams, desserts, syrups and extracts in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas. The idea took shape during her last year of college, and she made it official in 2023. What began with boozy cakes has grown into a line of spirit-infused jams, jellies and pantry staples, from Amaretto Apricot Jam and Bourbon Blackberry Jam to whiskey-cooked apple butter, now sold at farmers markets and events across the region. April runs BUI as a home-based business under Texas Cottage Food Laws and is certified in Food Handler Safety.

April says she has been experimenting with flavour since she was doctoring boxed cake mix with peanut butter and jelly in middle school. She grew the business from the ground up using TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and word of mouth, and describes BUI as more than a product line.

For April, the business is also a community and an in-person 'third place,' built around bringing people together over the flavours she develops.