CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY & CAKE

A Sunday sundowner brought over 110 bakers from across the country under one roof to showcase their innovative creations

- SHWETA SUNNY

Think summer picnic with 110 kg of cake and a chance to taste it all. Inspired by the cake picnic event in San Francisco, pastry chef Pooja Dhingra's Le15 patisserie and Preet Sanghvi's Gourmet Tales Co. collaborated to throw a first-of-its-kind cake party at Gallops in Mumbai. Balmy weather, a dreamy pastel-hued set-up and countless decadent cakes ready for the taking - it was paradise for those with a sweet tooth.

Over 110 bakers from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat and Bangalore, among others, participated in the event, and with more than 250 dessert lovers in attendance, the evening was high on sugar and energy. Guests were divided into several groups, and the atmosphere was filled with good-natured "strategic" planning and scouting to get a taste of the best cakes on offer.

Speaking about the event, Pooja Dhingra shares, "I saw the cake picnic party in San Francisco, and I loved how it brought people together and built a community. Since then, I wanted to do something similar here too. So, a month ago, I got in touch with Preet and the others, and within minutes, we put together a team filled with like-minded people. Within 45 minutes of releasing the tickets online, we were sold out."

Dhingra is of the firm belief that food brings people together. "I believe food has always been the one thing that binds people. It's such a good source of harmony and community, and one tends to forget other issues when there's good food on the table," she tells us.