Cake Piknik and CIMB turn desserts into works of art

CIMB Art & Soul: Artober brought a fresh and exciting energy to the creative scene, blending art, food, and fashion into a soulful celebration of imagination and craft.

Unlike a typical cake exhibition, Cake Piknik offered two very different experiences.

The Family Edition on Sept 14 at Lumi Park, Tropicana, was a joyful, inclusive gathering for cake lovers of all ages.

However, the real spotlight shone on Sept 27 at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) Kuala Lumpur, where Cake Piknik teamed up with CIMB Art & Soul to transform cakes into stunning edible artworks.

Around 30 handpicked bakers and cake artists took part in Cake Piknik’s competition, with two winners ultimately crowned in the categories of Most Inspired Artist and Most Treasured Cake Artist.

Each of them showcased breathtaking creations, from towering tiered cakes and delicate fondant models to hand-painted designs and gravity-defying sugar sculptures.

Cake Piknik x CIMB Artober's organisers, Tan U-Mae (left) and Nur Sarah Abdul Rahim (right)

Building a creative community

According to Tan U-Mae, 34, who was part of Cake Piknik’s founding team, 34, said the collaboration was the natural next step after years of growing recognition.

“We were fortunate to gain exposure from past events, especially through social media and the bakers themselves.

“That support opened doors for us, and we’re still so grateful. Now we’re focused on bringing our community together. Networking is important for bakers, it keeps creativity alive,” she said.

Meanwhile, one of Cake Piknik’s organisers, Nur Sarah Abdul Rahim, 33, shared her delight at seeing the bakers’ visions come to life.

“We’re amazed by the talent on display.

“This isn’t just about cakes; it’s about giving these artists a platform to show what they can do,” she said.

She highlighted that the team received over 40 submissions, but only bakers with a strong focus on artistic and structured cake designs were selected.

Unlike previous editions that were open to all, she said that this time the team specifically curated those who specialise in novelty, complex, and visually creative cakes.

Cake Piknik x CIMB Artober's judges, Singer Aina Abdul (left) and fashion designer Melinda Looi (right)

Judging the art of cake

To make things even more exciting, the judges shared their own unique take on creativity and artistry.

Singer Aina Abdul said she never expected to judge a cake competition, describing the experience as “mesmerising” and praising the seamless blend of fashion, food, and art that allowed each element to shine.

Aina, whose full name is Nurul Aina Abdul Ghani emphasised that her judging went beyond appearance, focusing on the story and meaning behind each creation, which gave the cakes their true depth and impact.

Commenting on the judging criteria, she highlighted the importance of stories behind the creations.

“The way I judge is based on the look itself but for me, the most important thing is the storytelling and what story is meant to be conveyed through the cake,” she added.

Meanwhile, fashion designer Melinda Looi, who was also a judge at the Cake Piknik, praised the creativity displayed by the bakers.

“All the amazing cakes stood out really well. I saw a lot of batik, which is great because we should appreciate our Malaysian heritage, the materials and all.

“I also saw a lot of amazing flower techniques using different styles to make flowers, which I love,” said Looi.

For her, art is basically everything around us and creativity is everywhere, whether it is fashion or food.

“Visually, food has to look good before you eat it, right?

“So, it’s always nice to put more effort into your food to attract people to appreciate it and enjoy it,” she stated.

Corak Bangsa (left) by Nurliza Mohd Jonis and Coral Vessel (right) by Sylvia Cham.

Winning with bold ideas

Crazepop founder Nurliza Mohd Jonis, 45, who won the Most Inspired Artist award, said she was “thrilled but not surprised” by the win, as she had “put everything” into her creation.

With less than a week to prepare, she crafted a towering upright cake celebrating Malaysia’s cultural diversity, blending batik with motifs from Chinese porcelain, Indian kolam, and Sabah and Sarawak designs.

“The biggest challenge was making it stand vertically, it was extremely heavy and difficult to balance,” she said, adding that working with fast-setting chocolate demanded precision.

The result, she noted, was “a beautiful Malaysia,” an edible tribute to the nation’s unity and heritage.

Wedding cake artist Sylvia Cham, 33, won the Most Treasured Cake Artist award for her bold, unconventional creation that stood apart from the more traditional designs.

“My first thought was I didn’t expect to win, there were so many beautiful cakes.

“My design wasn’t meant to be conventionally pretty, but something more interpretive and emotional,”she said when met during the event.

Inspired by coral-like ceramic sculptures, the cake took around 20 hours over three days to complete and featured intricate, hand-sculpted textures designed to provoke strong reactions, even discomfort.

“I wanted people to feel something, even if it wasn’t pleasant,” Cham said, adding that the simple butter cake, raspberry and chocolate ganache filling was a deliberate contrast to the striking, sculpture-like exterior.

Award ceremony for Most Inspired Artist and Most Treasured Cake Artist categories.

Beyond the cake showcase, Artober 2025 also featured over 100 artists and 30 galleries celebrating Malaysia’s rich creative tapestry, including a special exhibition of never-before-seen works by legendary Datuk Ibrahim Hussein and insightful Art Talks led by prominent figures.