What happens when you combine hundreds of beautiful cakes, fresh CAFE coffee and a sunny September afternoon in downtown Toronto? You get one seriously sweet Saturday. On September 19, CAFE returned to Cake Picnic Toronto at Canoe Landing Park in CityPlace for another afternoon celebrating creativity, community and, of course, plenty of cake.
Hosted by local culinary school Le Dolci, the annual event took place just across the street from our CAFE Dispensary on Fort York Boulevard, making it the perfect opportunity for our team to head over and keep picnic-goers caffeinated throughout the festivities.
And judging by the lineup at the CAFE booth, Toronto was definitely ready for coffee.
Toronto’s Sweetest Picnic
Cake Picnic isn’t your average day in the park. Ahead of the event, local baking enthusiasts register to create and bring their own cakes to the picnic. On Saturday, their creations were carefully arranged across long tables beneath the event tent, transforming Canoe Landing Park into one enormous, colourful cake display.
There were cakes of every style imaginable, from beautifully decorated classics to creative designs that almost looked too good to cut.
Before anyone grabbed a fork, guests were invited to walk through the display, admire the creations and snap plenty of photos. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
Guests were called up according to their wristband colours and let loose among the tables to choose slices of their favourite cakes. With so many options in front of them, deciding what to try may have been the hardest part of the afternoon!
Cake Calls for Coffee
Naturally, all that cake needed something to go with it. Just like last year, CAFE was on hand serving fresh coffee to event attendees throughout the day, and our booth quickly became a very busy place.
In fact, the CAFE coffee station had the longest lineup at the picnic, with a steady stream of guests stretching across the park throughout the day. Our team kept the coffee flowing as cake lovers stopped by to grab a fresh cup before heading back to the picnic.
After all, few combinations are better than a great slice of cake and a hot cup of coffee. And when your neighbourhood CAFE happens to be right across the street, it only makes sense.
More Than Just Cake
There was plenty to explore between trips to the cake tables, too. Hunter’s Landing kept guests refreshed with mocktails, while a flower crown station offered adorable floral accessories perfect for a sunny afternoon in the park. Guests could also pose with their cakes at a dedicated photo backdrop, resulting in plenty of picture-perfect moments.
Once everyone had filled their plates, the park transformed into a giant picnic. Blankets covered the grass as friends and families settled in with their cake and coffee, compared their favourite slices and soaked up the beautiful September weather in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Another Sweet Day in the Community
Events like Cake Picnic are exactly the kind of days we love at CAFE. Our stores are part of vibrant Toronto neighbourhoods, and getting outside the shop to participate in the events happening around us gives us a chance to connect with the people who make those communities special.
With our Fort York CAFE Dispensary located just across the street from Canoe Landing Park, Cake Picnic feels especially close to home. We loved seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones and serving up cup after cup of coffee to Toronto’s cake-loving crowd.
A huge thank you to Le Dolci, all of the talented bakers who brought their incredible creations, and everyone who stopped by the CAFE booth to say hello and grab a coffee.
