It began with a simple thought, why should the world have all the fun? From Instagram reels to TikTok trends, cake picnics had become an international fascination, colourful gatherings where bakers arrive not with baskets of fruit but with towering layers of frosting, bold flavours and edible artistry. And now, for the first time, Oman had its very own.
On the bright weekend of the last week of October at Mall of Muscat’s Street Walk, an indoor space that feels like a sunlit boulevard, more than a hundred bakers streamed in carrying the stars of the day, cakes in every shape, shade, scent and imagination. It was the first and largest cake picnic the Sultanate of Oman had ever seen and the atmosphere buzzed like a festival made of sugar.
This wasn’t just a picnic. It was a movement. The vision behind the event came from Rubeena Ibrahim, founder of Cake Talks Muscat, a thriving support group of nearly 750 bakers who normally swap recipes and encouragement through WhatsApp. But Rubeena, along with her team of dedicated bakers including Cassie Carlo and Reena Mathias, wanted something more human, more electric. “The idea sparked from a love of cakes and a desire not to miss a global trend”, she said. “We thought, Oman should experience this too. So we embraced the vibe and turned it into a Muscat edition that would let everyone indulge, connect and celebrate cake on a bigger scale”. Instead of staying behind screens, bakers met face to face, sharing techniques, flavours and stories over frosting and laughter. It became the offline heartbeat of an online community.
Planning the gathering took just a month, but it was a whirlwind of decisions, from finding the right location to ensuring that delicate cakes didn’t melt in the November warmth. The Street Walk space proved perfect, spacious, bright and cool, with the charm of an outdoor street fair and the advantage of air conditioning.
The mall’s supportive management helped amplify the event, turning it into a magnet for crowds. And crowds came, 114 participants behind the tables, surrounded by around 300 eager visitors ready to taste, chat, photograph and marvel. At moments, the turnout was so big that ticket sales paused just to keep the experience enjoyable. The public response, Rubeena said, was “electric”. Walking through the rows felt like stepping into a dreamworld where each cake told a story. Shaazana Mohamed Basheer described it perfectly, “Mind blowing creativity... every cake was unique”. Some tables offered nostalgic flavours, others pushed boundaries with bold experiments. The standout creations included the Flavour Frontier Award, which went to Dharini, whose croquembouche hid a surprise, an Indian kheer filling that blended tradition with elegance. The Artistic Achievement Award was claimed by Niluka Botheju, who crafted a basket blooming with handmade edible flowers. The Judges’ Choice Award crowned Lynn, whose two tier vintage cake infused with kunafa pistachio was as breathtaking as it was delicious.
Each creation drew admirers and sparked collaboration, from traditional bakers to modern cake artists who came armed with edible paints, metallic sheens and sculpted buttercream. Beyond aesthetic marvels, what made the day magical was the human connection. Bakers who had known each other only through WhatsApp usernames suddenly found themselves meeting face to face, hugging, laughing and trading tips as if they had been friends for years.
For many, like AJ Confectionery owner Samar al Obaidani, the experience was a reminder of why they fell in love with baking in the first place. “Participating was amazing”, she said. “It was a chance to showcase MyFloralCupcakes, my passion for turning buttercream into art. Being part of the Cake Picnic reminded me why I started, to spread joy through handcrafted treats that tell a story”. The Cake Picnic proved to be more than a trend imported into Oman. It became a catalyst for the country’s growing baking culture. Bakers discovered new ingredients, met potential clients and exchanged ideas that could become tomorrow’s bestselling flavours. It was a reminder, Rubeena noted, that no one succeeds alone.
Her message to every participant and visitor was clear, “Swim higher, collaborate and let your passion shine”. With calls for a winter edition already ringing through the Cake Talks community, this first Cake Picnic seems destined to become an annual celebration, bigger, bolder and even sweeter. If this debut was any indication, Oman has not only joined the global cake picnic wave, it may well set a new standard for what a cake picnic can be.
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