Every November, the city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom becomes the centre of the cake‑decorating universe. Cake International Birmingham is a world‑leading exhibition and competition where sugar artists, bakers, hobbyists, professionals, and creative enthusiasts from across the globe gather to celebrate the craft of cake decorating and baking.
Held in the expansive halls of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), this event has grown from a local UK show into one of the most important fixtures on the global cake artistry calendar. From jaw‑dropping sugar sculptures and towering wedding cakes to innovative workshops and bustling exhibitor aisles, Cake International is about imagination, community, and technical excellence.
A Legacy of Creativity (Since 1994)
Cake International Birmingham started in 1994 as a gathering for cake decorators and sugarcraft lovers. In the decades since, it has evolved into the largest and most prestigious cake decorating event in the world. Thousands of visitors and competitors attend every year, exploring the latest tools, techniques, and trends in both traditional and cutting‑edge sugar art.
This long history means the event isn’t just a place to see cakes — it’s a global creative institution, attracting talent from beginners to seasoned professionals who have made baking and sugarcraft their careers.
What Happens at Cake International
At first glance, Cake International Birmingham might just look like a big baking show. But it’s so much more — it’s part exhibition, part competition, part learning festival, and part marketplace.
— World‑Class Cake Display
A highlight of the show is its competition display — the world’s biggest cake competition. Each year, organizers receive thousands of entries from around the world. These include wedding cakes, decorative art cakes, cupcakes, sculpted sugar pieces, and ambitious themed displays.
Judges assess each piece based on creativity, skill, composition, workmanship and visual appeal — and only the most exceptional are awarded top prizes like the prestigious Best in Show.
Entrants range from professional sugar artists to enthusiastic home bakers and even children in junior categories. Some pieces are breathtakingly realistic — from architectural recreations to lifelike figurines — and for many visitors the competition area is pure inspiration.
— Live Demonstrations and Workshops
One of the most inspiring parts of Cake International Birmingham is the live demonstrations on stages such as the Cake International Theatre. Famous and talented cake designers host on‑stage sessions that break down techniques like advanced sugar‑flower making, contemporary fondant finishes, and themed cake design.
These sessions are valuable for all skill levels — whether you’re a professional looking to refine techniques or a hobbyist hoping to pick up new ideas. Watching a master artist bring a cake to life can be both educational and magical.
— The Marketplace for Bakers and Creators
Cake International isn’t just about looking at cakes — it’s also a place to shop. Hundreds of exhibitors showcase the newest baking tools, sugarcraft materials, moulds, airbrush equipment, edible colours, cutters, and much more.
Visitors often describe the event as the largest cake decorating shop in the world, full of inspiration and opportunity to try new products or find rare specialist supplies. It’s a marketplace where innovation meets tradition.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Cake International Birmingham |
| Type | Cake decorating, sugarcraft, and baking show |
| Location | National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK |
| First Held | 1994 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Main Features | Cake competitions, live workshops, demonstrations, exhibitor marketplace |
| Audience | Professional bakers, hobbyists, students, families |
| Notable Competitions | Best in Show, wedding cakes, junior categories |
| Website | cakeinternational.co.uk |
| Social Media | Instagram: @cakeinternational, Facebook: Cake International, Twitter: @CakeIntl |
Who Attends Cake International Birmingham
One of the most remarkable things about Cake International is its diversity.
People from all walks of life attend:
- Professional bakers and cake designers — those who run bakeries, studios, or sugarcraft businesses.
- Home bakers and hobbyists — people who bake and decorate for fun, family celebrations or local competitions.
- Students and apprentices — aspiring chefs and pastry artists seeking inspiration and networking.
- Families and cake lovers — visitors who simply enjoy seeing incredible edible art and learning something new.
Many people travel long distances to participate. Reddit posts from past attendees show hobby bakers flying cakes thousands of miles for a chance to compete — some even managing the logistics of transporting delicate masterpieces internationally.
Why Cake International Matters
— A Celebration of Craftsmanship
This event puts a spotlight on the craft behind cake decorating — not just taste, but artistry. For many, it’s an opportunity to see sugar art pushed to its most imaginative heights. It’s where traditional techniques meet modern innovation.
— A Learning and Networking Hub
For professionals, Cake International is a chance to network with peers, meet industry leaders, and develop business connections. Vendor booths and workshops offer insights into market trends and techniques.
— Inspiration for Every Level
Aspiring bakers often say seeing these pieces in person is transformative — it expands what they believe is possible with icing, sugarpaste, and imagination. For a beginner, a simple walk through the competition hall is like a masterclass in technique and creativity.
Notable Stories and Real World Impact
The Cakes that make headlines often do more than win prizes — they tell stories.
In 2024, some competitors made news for stunning, intricate sugar sculptures like a life‑size Queen Elizabeth I cake, showcasing both technical skill and cultural resonance.
Another memorable moment involved a life‑sized cake modeled after Taylor Swift that unfortunately collapsed in transit. That episode still drew global attention, highlighting both the ambition of competitors and the delicate nature of large‑scale cake art.
Meanwhile, international competitors such as Irish sugar artists have won dozens of medals in a single year, demonstrating the truly global nature of Cake International and its impact on careers and reputations.
Cake International in 2025 and Beyond
The 2025 edition of Cake International & Bake International is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 2, 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham. It promises more exhibitors, live content, and competition entries than ever before.
In addition to the cake decorating spectacle, 2025 will see expanded features like the Cake & Bake International Awards, celebrating excellence across the industry including categories such as Cake Artist of the Year.
This growth shows Cake International is not just an annual show — it’s an evolving cultural event that reflects how baking and sugarcraft continue to innovate and inspire.
Conclusion
Cake International Birmingham is more than a trade show — it’s an immersive cultural celebration of baking, artistry, technique, and imagination. Whether you’re a professional baker building a brand, a hobbyist chasing inspiration, or a casual visitor curious about creative food art, this event offers something unique.
It combines competitive excellence, hands‑on learning, and global community in a way few other culinary events can match. Each year, it reminds us that cake is not just dessert — it’s an art form, a passion, and a shared experience that brings people together from every corner of the world.
FAQs
Q: What is Cake International Birmingham?
A: Cake International Birmingham is the world’s largest cake decorating and sugarcraft event, showcasing competitions, workshops, and exhibitor displays.
Q: When and where is Cake International Birmingham held?
A: Cake International Birmingham takes place every year at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, usually in late October or early November.
Q: Who can attend Cake International Birmingham?
A: Cake International Birmingham is open to everyone, including professional bakers, hobbyists, students, and families who love cake art.
Q: Can beginners compete at Cake International Birmingham?
A: Yes, Cake International Birmingham features competition categories for all skill levels, from beginners to professional bakers and even juniors.
Q: What can visitors do at Cake International Birmingham besides competitions?
A: At Cake International Birmingham, visitors can enjoy live workshops, product exhibitions, cake decorating demonstrations, and networking with baking experts.
