A Community Event to Celebrate Home-Baking and Connection
Mount Lavinia Hotel has announced “The Great Cake Gathering”, a unique event dedicated to celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich home-baking culture and the simple joy of sharing cake. Scheduled for Sunday, 31st August 2025, from 4 PM to 6 PM, the event will take place at The Terrace, the hotel’s famous oceanfront venue once named one of the world’s best gathering places by Newsweek Magazine.
The event’s concept is both simple and charming. Guests are invited to bring a home-baked cake as their entry ticket. In return, Mount Lavinia Hotel offers an elegant afternoon of cake sharing, live instrumental music, and the opportunity to make meaningful connections, all set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean at sunset. Upon arrival, each participant’s cake will be placed on a large communal table, creating a visual feast that celebrates the artistry and passion of Sri Lanka’s home bakers.
At 4 PM sharp, the event will kick off with a light-hearted activity called the “Cake Dash.” Participants will have five minutes to collect as many different cake slices as they can, filling a standard box provided by the hotel. Once the dash concludes, the focus shifts to relaxation and enjoyment. Guests can savour their cake selections at their own pace, engage with other bakers and attendees, and soak in the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
While cake-sharing events are gaining popularity around the world, Sri Lanka has yet to embrace them on this scale. Mount Lavinia Hotel believes it is time to change that. The Great Cake Gathering aims to shine a spotlight on the island’s home bakers, small bakery owners, and boutique cake makers whose talents often remain hidden within close circles of friends and family. This event gives them a platform to be celebrated and appreciated by a wider audience.
Anura Dewapura, Chief Operating Officer of Mount Lavinia Hotel, shared the inspiration behind the event. “We wanted to create something warm, inclusive, and a little magical. Cakes naturally bring people together, whether it’s for a birthday, a wedding, or simply a Sunday afternoon. With The Great Cake Gathering, we’re inviting everyone to be part of something that celebrates simple joys.”
Adding a personal touch, each participant is encouraged to include a short note about their cake, detailing its name, ingredients, or the story behind its creation. These notes will transform the event into a collective showcase of personal stories and culinary creativity, a living cookbook of Sri Lankan memories.
More than just a celebration of cake, the event aims to bridge generations, communities, and cultures. Baking, for many, is an expression of love, heritage, and creativity. The Great Cake Gathering recognises this and creates a space where these values can be shared.
Mount Lavinia Hotel’s latest initiative reflects its broader vision to combine heritage, culture, and community in meaningful ways. The Great Cake Gathering promises to be a memorable event where individual stories and collective connection meet, offering both participants and visitors a chance to experience something simple yet profound.
