Buttercream & Botanics: Viral Global "Cake Picnic" Lands in Sydney

Founder Elisa Sunga brings her viral global Cake Picnic tour to Sydney, where 500+ bakers gathered to share 20cm-wide masterpieces against the Harbour Bridge backdrop.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 10:20 AM EDT

Source: BBC News

From a Small Invite to a Global Phenomenon

What started two years ago as a modest invitation in San Francisco has transformed into an international touring event. Founder Elisa Sunga, who moved from the Philippines to California at age 12, initially expected a dozen guests; instead, 200 people arrived with nearly as many cakes. The Sydney edition marks a major stop on her global tour, which has seen similar success in Melbourne, where 1,600 cakes were shared in a single sitting earlier this month.

The Rules of the Picnic

To maintain the "maximalist" aesthetic of the event, Sunga enforces specific entry requirements. Each cake must be:

Width: Minimum of 20cm (8 inches).

Height: Minimum of 7.5cm (3 inches).