Minneapolis Cake Picnic draws hundreds of bakers in oven-like heat

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden drew approximately 650 bakers Saturday for the Cake Picnic, celebrating Betty Crocker's 104th birthday. Each participant paid $30 and brought a cake, adhering to the mandatory “no cake, no entry” rule. Attendees sampled from 647 cakes featuring imaginative flavors, including a standout 7-foot birthday cake adorned with Betty's portraits. Celebrity bakers such as Zoë François and Christina Tosi participated, with many attendees wearing red to pay tribute to Crocker. The event, started in 2024 by Elisa Sunga, aims to gather cake enthusiasts and has expanded from its inaugural picnic in San Francisco to cities like Los Angeles and London.

Veronica Kruschel, a participant from St. Paul, expressed her excitement about the event's local stop. Katie Phelps described the sampling process as hectic but rewarding, especially with the variety of fruit flavors. The picnic not only commemorates Betty Crocker's legacy but also fosters community among baking fans.