Welcome to Cake Picnic, Sydney edition.
It's the viral event that's already sold out dates in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. Tickets in Dubai, London, and Mexico City were harder to come by than a double-yolk egg.
And now it's landed on Australian shores, with a Melbourne event earlier this month boasting 1,600 cakes in one sitting.
I had no idea that I could ever go on tour for cake, laughs Cake Picnic founder Elisa Sunga, part-time hobby baker and full-time Google employee. People go on tour for music and whatnot, but for cake? It just seems so whimsical and delightful to be able to do that.
The concept is simple. Two years ago, Sunga - who moved to San Francisco aged 12 from her hometown of Baguio City in the Philippines - posted an online invitation for a small gathering with one request: everyone must bring a cake.
To her amazement, close to 200 people attended and more than 180 cakes were devoured. Since then, her simple, sugar-laden summons has caused ripples of excitement across the foodie world.
It feels unreal, Sunga tells the BBC. I had no idea that thousands of people all over the world would be as excited as I am.
There's plenty of excitement among the 500-plus crowd gathering at Saturday's event in Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden. As they line up to have their cakes inspected – which must be 20cm (8 inches) wide and 7.5cm (3 inches) high – some participants secretly admit to late-night baking sessions.
Among them, Hilary Lindgren, 54, wearing an eye-catching outfit and holding a carrot cake, mentions, It was crazy - a big mess, flour and sugar everywhere, but lots of fun. There are just so many negative things happening in the world at the moment that it's nice to do something like this.
From home bakers to professionals, influencers to non-bakers, everyone places their cakes on tables stretching across the grassy knoll, with Sydney's famed Harbour Bridge as the backdrop.
The only architectural feats eliciting oohs and aahs this morning are of the sponge variety, as enthusiasts peruse gravity-defying cakes, from a metre-high life-sized swan creation to a bouquet of cupcakes.
Cakes at the picnic must be at least 20cm wide and feature unique flavors and intricate designs. Sunga is thrilled to witness a focaccia cake with roasted tomato, pesto, and feta icing among the sweet bounty.
When you're surrounded by thousands of sweet cakes, all you really want is salt, she adds, showcasing the diverse offerings present.
Sunga reflects on her journey from a savory upbringing in the Philippines to creating a cake celebration that emphasizes community and joy, stating, When you go to a concert, it's pretty much the same age group, but at cake picnic, it's so varied. It's just fun to see everyone coming together.
The event is not only a baking showcase; it's a place where participants can connect with others while indulging in their sweet creations. Attendees enjoy each other's company, share baking tips, and collect slices of their favorite cakes in large pizza boxes before sitting down to savor the flavors.
As this unique phenomenon continues to grow, Sunga embodies the spirit behind the Cake Picnic, illustrating how a shared love for cake creates lasting connections within the community.
