For decades, Maldivians have immersed themselves in the art of food, cooking and baking alike. It is often within the warmth of home kitchens and close-knit communities. From age-old traditional recipes passed down through generations to modern confections shared at family gatherings or events, the passion for creating and sharing food has long been a part of the island nation’s cultural fabric.

However, public platforms showcasing homegrown baking talent have remained rare, until now.

July 4 marked the start of a weekend filled with silky frosting, friendship and flavor explosions, a sugar rush in all the best ways.

Maldives first-ever cake picnic flipped the script that Friday, with ‘Cake Keyn’, an initiative of a handful of skilled local bakers inspired by the viral ‘Cake Picnic Tour’, originally initiated by a U.S-based food blogger. What began as a global trend turned into a vibrant local celebration, bringing together bakers, both self-taught and seasoned to share their creations, their stories, dreams and love for cake under one open sky.

Dressed to impress, participants eagerly gathered their boxes and lined up before the whimsical display of 50 something cakes, spoons in hand, ready to dive into a vibrant sea of buttercream as the sun dipped low on the horizon. It was more than just cake, almost a quiet revelation shared among strangers and friends alike. It was the kind of moment where you really realize just how much talent exists in the community, and that something as simple as a cake picnic can spark inspiration, creativity and a sense of belonging.

To some participants, the moment felt bigger than what it looked like on the surface, it was not just a cake tasting, but a shared emotional experience.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, founder of ‘Cake Keyn’ Anja Abbas, also known as ‘Foodtrove’ on Instagram, shared that the idea rooted from a deep love for baking and a desire to bring the global trend to local shores.

For Anja, baking is more than just a hobby, it’s a form of comfort, a creative outlet, and a quiet expression of love. Though she doesn’t consider herself a die-hard sweet tooth, the process of mixing flavors, experimenting with textures, and crafting something truly unique is where her passion comes alive.

As someone who enjoys experimenting with new recipes, Anja saw an opportunity not just to join the trend, but to create a space for others who shared the same passion. She reached out to a few fellow bakers, and from those early conversations, ‘Cake Keyn’ was born.

When the idea of a Maldivian-style cake picnic was first floated, even its creators couldn’t have imagined the wave of enthusiasm it would unleash. Anja recalled that they were blown away by the response, reflecting on the excitement mirrored by the several people who had reached out.

‘Cake Keyn’ tapped into something that had been quietly simmering within the local baking community: a craving for a shared experience that celebrated both creativity and cake.

The concept struck a chord almost instantly, revealing just how many people had been waiting for something like this to bloom in the Maldives.

While the format followed a global trend, the team behind ‘Cake Keyn’ knew the name had to speak to where they were from, and so, ‘Cake Keyn’, a name that rolls off the tongue like a secret invitation, was born, merging global inspiration with Maldivian soul.

For Anja and her team, watching 'Cake Keyn' come to life was nothing short of magical. It was a day charged with emotion, equal parts exhilarating, overwhelming, and deeply moving. As they finally met people in person, some familiar only through Instagram handles, others complete strangers turned kindred spirits, it became clear that this was more than just a gathering.

What struck Anja most was the sheer passion in the air. “It was amazing to see how many people genuinely love baking as much as we do,” she said. Guests came bearing stunning, whimsical creations, some with years of experience, others confessing it was their first-ever bake. Anja said that the leap of faith, made the experience all the more special.

Voice tinged with awe, Anja recalled that the enthusiasm was incredible and that gratitude flowed as freely as the outburst of support that day. DMs continued to pour in with one question on repeat; “When is the next one?”. For Anja and her team, it’s the clearest sign that this was the start of something meaningful.

Reflecting on the behind-the-scenes journey that led to Cake Keyn’s debut, Anja shared that while the event unfolded with a few unexpected twists, there were no major hurdles, just the natural unpredictability that comes with any first-time venture.

Though there’s room for improvement, the spirit of the event never wavered, and a hopeful Anja said that at the end of the day, what mattered most was that people laughed, shared, and connected.

The joy was real, the community was vibrant and the feedback that was brimming with encouragement, has already begun shaping what’s to come.

Armed with experience, insight, and a wave of community support, Anja and her team are already looking ahead. Anja affirmed that the next one would be even better. What began as an intimate gathering limited to just 50 participants, a deliberate decision to keep things manageable for their first attempt, has sparked a vision for something far grander.

For the next edition, the team’s goal is clear: make it bigger, bolder, and even more unforgettable. Anja and her team are determined to open the doors to more participants, expand the celebration, and deepen the sense of community that defined the first event.

But they’re dreaming even bigger than that. Anja and her team are already imagining 'Cake Keyn' traveling beyond its birthplace, popping up on different islands, partnering with local communities, and turning this sweet celebration into a nationwide movement. If the first event was a spark, the next could be a full-blown blaze.

When asked whether 'Cake Keyn' could spark a wave of community-based food gatherings across the Maldives, Anja didn’t hesitate, saying that she feels like it’s already happening. Since the event, the page’s inbox has been lighting up with messages, people from different islands reaching out, eager to host their own cake picnics and asking for guidance.

They’ve also noticed a growing interest in such community gatherings, which is proof that people are craving connection, creativity, and a reason to come together. If the ripple effects of ‘Cake Keyn’ are any indication, this could be just the beginning of a sweet new chapter for community culture across the islands.

One of the most beautiful revelations to come out of ‘Cake Keyn’, as Anja shared, was the sheer depth of hidden talent within the Maldivian community. What stood out most wasn’t the presence of professional bakers, but the passionate home bakers, many of whom don’t run businesses or sell their creations. They simply bake for the joy of it. Yet, the creativity, craftsmanship, and heart that each participant brought to the table were nothing short of extraordinary. Anja said that passion alone can lead to something truly remarkable. For her, that was one of the event’s greatest successes, watching people feel inspired and confident enough to share what they love doing.

Anja noted that while a few male bakers had shown interest in ‘Cake Keyn’, some may have felt a bit hesitant to join the first edition. However, with the overwhelmingly positive response and the warm, welcoming atmosphere the event fostered, she’s confident that more men will feel encouraged to take part in future gatherings.

Sharing that there’s quite a large number of talented male bakers in the Maldivian local baking scene, Anja expressed keenness to see more of them at future editions of ‘Cake Keyn’.

Anja encourages everyone to follow ‘Cake Keyn’ on social media for the latest updates and announcements, as plans for the next cake picnic are already underway. With hopes to host the next edition within the next two to three months, the team is gearing up for an even sweeter sequel. It’s welcome news for those who missed out on the first gathering.

Alya Ali’s love for baking began at just 12, inspired by watching her sister create stunning cakes that felt like pure magic. Since then, she’s been experimenting with recipes and pushing her own boundaries in the kitchen. A devoted fan of the global Cake Picnic Tour, Alya had spent countless hours watching reels, dreaming of the day she’d join something like it. So when Cake Keyn was announced, she didn’t hesitate to sign up almost immediately. At the event, Alya wowed attendees with her signature “carrot-berry” cake: a tender carrot sponge layered with blueberry and strawberry filling, topped with her favorite cream cheese frosting.

Determined to perfect her creation, Alya spent the week leading up to ‘Cake Keyn’ ordering and sampling carrot cakes, refining her own recipe to make sure it stood out. Her dedication paid off. As soon as guests took a bite, compliments poured in, calling her carrot-berry cake absolutely scrumptious.

Baking for a public event for the first time, Alya admitted to feeling nervous, especially with so many of the bakers she admired also taking part. She wanted her cake to stand out, to be just as extraordinary. To her delight, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “I was literally jumping around my room that night,” she said, still buzzing from the love she received. The experience has only fueled her passion to share her bakes with a wider audience.

Describing ‘Cake Keyn’ as “colorful”, Alya didn’t hesitate to say a resounding “Yes!” when asked if she’d join again. For her, the event was about far more than just delicious cakes, it was about celebrating the intricate details, the hard work behind each creation, and the friendships forged among passionate bakers. “It’s a rare experience,” she said, “and I feel so lucky to be part of the incredible ‘Cake Keyn’ community.”

Sajwa Samir, known to her followers as ‘Flouriette.mv’ on Instagram, has long had a passion for baking. What began as making cakes for family and friends purely for joy eventually drew her back to the kitchen after a brief pause, like returning home. Recently, Sajwa turned her love for baking into a budding business, selling cakes, cupcakes, and themed treats, sharing her craft and growing her passion into something bigger.

Eager to showcase her baking skills at ‘Cake Keyn’, Sajwa chose to bring a fresh and playful twist by transforming a beloved summer drink into cake form. Her strawberry lemonade cake featuring layers of tangy lemon curd, sweet strawberry compote, and cream cheese frosting, proved to be the perfect, refreshing treat for a picnic. Her strawberry lemonade cake earned plenty of heartfelt compliments, filling her with pride and reminding her why she loves baking in the first place.

“It was full of creativity, exposure and fun”, Sajwa said. For her, ‘Cake Keyn’ was a thrilling first opportunity to share her cake with the public. Surrounded by immensely talented bakers and stunning creations, she admits she was a nervous wreck, but the warmth and support from the event hosts quickly eased her fears.

Sajwa is already eager to join the next 'Cake Keyn' edition. She describes the experience as “wholesome”, a true celebration that brought the community together, united by their shared passion for baking and more.

The cake picnic wasn’t just about frosting and flavors, it was about giving voice to the quiet creatives, the home-kitchen dreamers, the self-taught bakers who had long been waiting for a stage to share their passion. Under a sun-streaked sky, surrounded by laughter, and a kaleidoscope of cakes, something remarkable unfolded.

‘Cake Keyn’ became more than an event, it became a movement that cracked open a space for hidden talent to rise, for doubt to dissolve, and for community to bloom. As the last crumbs settled and the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, wrapping the evening in a warm twilight glow, one thing was certain: this, is only the beginning.