31/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 31, 2025 theSunday Special V

I MAGINE a sunny afternoon, with friends gathered on picnic mats, sur rounded by cakes, tarts and sweet treats. From London to New York to San Francisco, cake picnics have become a favourite way for dessert lovers to come together and share what they love. In Malaysia, the idea has caught on in its own way. Cake Piknik has grown into a local event that now enters its third season, attracting a loyal crowd who come not just for the food but for the atmosphere. It’s a mix of good company, thoughtful details and desserts that look as good as they taste. Founded by Amalina Jamil, Cake Piknik is a Malaysian initiative inviting cake and dessert fans to spend the day outdoors, meet others who share the same passion and enjoy the simple pleasure of a sweet escape. A long-time dessert enthusiast, Jamil ¿UVW EHJDQ ZLWK D KRPH EDVHG EXVLQHVV called Jars by AJ R̆ HULQJ FDNH MDUV DQG small-batch bakes. Though she had no formal culinary training, baking became her comfort and creative outlet, a passion project that gradually turned into a full time pursuit during the pandemic. The spark that led to Cake Piknik came on a quiet weekend. Jamil imagined what it might feel like to host a laid-back, picnic-style gathering, a space where people could taste, chat and enjoy desserts without the usual formality. She further explained that after selling online for a while, she found herself craving a real connection with customers, fellow bakers and anyone who shared the same love. “Over time, I realised how much joy desserts could bring, especially when shared in a communal space. I didn’t just want to create another market. It had to be something people could feel part of - an

A slice of togetherness

BY AQILAH NAJWA JAMALUDDIN

“Our dream is to keep building a move ment around desserts that’s fresh, creative and grounded in togetherness,” she said. Organising a community-centred dessert event doesn’t come without its challenges. The past two seasons have R̆ HUHG D KRVW RI OHVVRQV PDQ\ RI ZKLFK have shaped how the third edition is being approached. “One big lesson is that flexibility is HYHU\WKLQJ :HDWKHU FURZG ÀRZ ODVW minute changes, they’re all part of the game,” she shared. “We’ve learned to improve our layout for better vendor visibility and guest comfort. Communication is also key, especially with vendors. This year, the team has taken steps to streamline the event operations. By creating a clearer onboarding system and better support, everyone feels prepared and included,” Jamil said with a touch of pride. These H̆ RUWV DLP WR VWUHQJWKHQ WKH H[SHULHQFH for everyone involved, from first-time bakers to returning fans. When asked what advice she would give to others looking to build a food based business rooted in community, her response was simple, yet meaningful. “Start with why. Community-driven businesses need heart. Be clear about what you want people to feel and experience. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Start small, test your ideas and listen closely to your community. “People can tell when something is built with love, and that’s what keeps them coming back.” She believes authenticity matters most. That intention, to connect, inspire and uplift, has been the heart of Cake Piknik from the beginning. One of the participants, Mynn-Huey Lee, described being surrounded by fellow cake and dessert lovers as nothing short of magical. “The event felt exactly like its name suggests,” she expressed. “It was lovely to connect with other bakers. I even met a few well-known ones I’ve followed on Instagram for years. It’s so special to be around people who share the same passion for the art of baking.” Beyond the community, Lee expressed her appreciation to Jamil and the team for creating a space that highlights the often-overlooked creative side of baking. Each baker, she noted, brought something different to their own style, story and signature. “ 7KH YDULHW\ RI ÀDYRXUV DQG GHVLJQV ZDV so inspiring. No two cakes were the same, and it became a real visual and sensory treat. You could truly feel the love and creativity in every slice.” For Lee, Cake Piknik is an event she’ll keep coming back to. A one-of-a-kind experience that offers total ease. No pressure, no fuss, just the joy of creat ing, connecting and supporting the local community. It’s not just about cakes. It’s about celebrating stories, building friend VKLSV DQG ¿QGLQJ EHDXW\ LQ WKH VLPSOHVW moments; all served on a picnic mat.

experience. That became the foundation for Cake Piknik,” said Jamil. Inspired by dessert picnics abroad, Jamil chose the name Cake Piknik as a nod to its Malaysian roots. “It represents a relaxed, come-as-you are kind of event, where cakes aren’t just sold, they’re shared and celebrated,” she said. Since launching earlier this year, Cake Piknik has grown into a close-knit com munity. According to Jamil, the shared

love for desserts is what brings people back and what the event was always meant to be about. “People stayed longer than we ex pected, sat on picnic mats, tried each other’s desserts and genuinely connected. That’s when we realised the idea no longer belonged to just us. It started with our team, but now it lives in the hearts of everyone who turns up.” While there’s no shortage of unique GHVLJQV EROG ÀDYRXUV DQG H\H FDWFKLQJ presentation, she’s hoping to see more modern interpretations of traditional Malaysian kuih . Taking inspiration from the event’s name itself, she and her team would love to see local bakers reimagine kuih in ways that resonate with a broader audience. “Cakes like seri muka turned into a lay ered cheesecake or onde-onde reimagined as a mousse cake. That kind of creative fusion,” Jamil said with a smile. For its third edition, they collaborated with TV3’s Nona programme to celebrate the television station’s 41st anniversary. 7KH HYHQW R̆ HUHG D PRUH G\QDPLF H[SHUL ence with added activities and thoughtful moments that invited deeper connection. The goal was not just to celebrate desserts but to nurture a sense of community that felt warm, welcoming and rooted in the spirit of sisterhood. It was the kind of gathering Malaysians could always look forward to. “This event isn’t just for dessert lov ers – it’s for anyone with a creative spark or those simply wanting to unwind with friends or savour a little “me time”. To gether, we’ve created an atmosphere that feels like a warm hug, complete with picnic mats, gorgeous cakes, friendly vendors and delightful little surprises around every corner,” said Jamil. She hopes the community spirit behind &DNH 3LNQLN FRQWLQXHV WR JURZ DQG ¿QGV D lasting place in Malaysia’s creative scene. With plans to explore new cities and build more collaborations, she envisions something much bigger.

A crowd that comes not just for the food but for the atmosphere.