International Cake Show 2023

Overview

Forget finding a golden ticket — while scoring a free pass to a chocolate factory was everyone's fantasy as a kid (and, let's face it, is still a fantasy now), there are other ways to indulge your Willy Wonka dreams. Cakes as far as the eye can see, classes on how to make them and a dedicated sweet zone aren't just things that floated through your head while you were asleep. They're real, and they're part of the returning International Cake Show at the Royal International Convention Centre.

From Friday, April 14–Sunday, April 16, Brisbane's Ekka precinct becomes the sweetest place in the city, so prepare your tastebuds and stomach accordingly. The three-day show will feature a mixing bowl worth of live cake-making and decorating sessions, how-to demonstrations, hands-on classes and a two-day cake sculpture challenge — as well as hosting the Australasian Cake Oscars, the tastiest awards you're ever likely to come across.

Trina Thomson, Sweet Ruby Artisan Cakes

Other highlights include 60-plus stalls and shops, which'll help you bake up a storm at home, and plenty of tasty fare to devour. Basically, when you're not learning how to make sweet treats, you'll be eating them.

Oh, and you'll be looking at them, too — and not just your regular old desserts. Get ready to scope out a life-sized Bumblebee Transformer made out of sugar cake, and The Lion King as well. Rosie Dummer will whip up a life-sized edible Paddington Bear, and there'll be an attempt to build the world's largest cookie tower. Yes, these are sweets that sugar dreams are made of.