In a move that celebrates community, creativity, and the comforting joy of cake, Mount Lavinia Hotel has announced “The Great Cake Gathering”, set to take place on Sunday, 31st August 2025, from 4 PM to 6 PM at The Terrace the hotel’s iconic oceanfront venue, once named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the world’s best gathering places – a fitting setting for an event rooted in connection and celebration.
The concept is delightfully simple: Guests are invited to bring a home-baked cake as their entry, and in return, Mount Lavinia Hotel offers an elegant afternoon filled with cake-sharing, live music, meaningful connections and the added gift of breathtaking sunset views over the Indian Ocean. Participants will arrive with their cakes, which will be beautifully arranged on a communal table a visual celebration of Sri Lanka’s vibrant home-baking culture.
At 4:00 PM sharp, the event will begin with a light-hearted “Cake Dash,” where each participant will have 5 minutes to collect a slice from as many different cakes as possible, using a standard box provided. Once the dash is done, it’s all about slowing down enjoying your selections at leisure, connecting with fellow participants, and soaking in the warm, easygoing atmosphere, all set to the soothing sounds of live instrumental music.
While events like this are becoming popular in other parts of the world, Sri Lanka has yet to fully embrace cake-sharing experiences on this scale especially not with the depth, creativity, and recognition they deserve. Too often, the talents of home bakers, small bakery owners, and boutique cake makers go unnoticed, their efforts are mostly appreciated only within close-knit circles. Mount Lavinia Hotel believes it’s time to change that. The Great Cake Gathering is designed to give these passionate creators a platform, a voice, and most importantly genuine recognition.
“We wanted to create an event that feels warm, inclusive, and a little magical — where the community is not just attending, but participating,” says Anura Dewapura, Chief Operating Officer of Mount Lavinia Hotel. “Cakes have a way of bringing people together, whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or just a Sunday afternoon. With The Great Cake Gathering, we’re opening our Terrace to something beautifully simple: shared joy.”
Beyond just an event, The Great Cake Gathering is about building a “cake community” a space for stories, creativity, and collective nostalgia. Each cake has a story behind it, whether it’s a secret family recipe, a first-time experiment, or a tribute to a loved one. Participants are encouraged to bring a small note about their cake, sharing the name, ingredients, or inspiration behind it. These personal touches will turn the event into a living, breathing cookbook of Sri Lankan stories.
The event also aims to foster connection between generations, cultures, and communities, using cake as a delicious and meaningful bridge. It’s a celebration of homemakers, hobby bakers, passionate cooks, boutique entrepreneurs, and everyday people who find joy in baking for others. For many, baking is more than just mixing ingredients — it’s an expression of love, resilience, and creativity.
In addition to being a heartwarming gathering, the event aligns with Mount Lavinia Hotel’s larger vision of becoming a destination that celebrates good food, fine wine, culture, community, heritage, sustainability, art, and entertainment. It reinforces the hotel’s role as a heritage icon that isn’t afraid to evolve blending its timeless charm with modern, meaningful experiences. For participants and the wider public, it offers a rare opportunity to be part of something joyful, inclusive, and enduring a celebration of both individuality and shared connection.
The Great Cake Gathering is more than an event it’s a movement. And it begins this August at The Terrace of one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic hotels, where ocean views and timeless charm set the stage for something truly special.
