The Zim Cake Expo, which was held in Harare on 28 November, was a huge success despite the coronavirus pandemic that inhibited some people from attending business events. This was said by the event’s founder and producer, Farai Chakabuda recently.
“This year, the event was carefully implemented adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. Guests witnessed world class standards in cake decorating exhibited by cake bakers, who are also known as Cake Bosses. The main event sponsor was Gloria Flour who added an epic experience to the event by giving away 50 Gloria Baking Recipe Books as well as over 200 packets of 2kg Gloria Self Raising Cake Flour to each guest who visited the Zim Cake Expo. Hefty baker hampers were awarded to the top five professional cake bakers in the Most Tasty Cakes category,” Chakabuda told Business Events.
“Country Choice Foods gave away three hefty hampers to our first three guests who arrived at the event venue at exactly mid-day. Scrumptious full cakes were also given as door prizes to the first 10 guests who arrived at the event venue at exactly mid-day,” Chakabuda said.
Apart from cake tasting, which is the staple of cake shows, the event was spiced up with other activities such as wine tasting.
“Cake tasting, being the main highlight of the event was complimented with wine tasting by Rwendo Wines and cocktails served by Denise the Cocktail Mixer,” the cake show boss said.
Asked about safety protocols, which the organisers took to ensure that the expo was COVID19-safe, Chakabuda stated that they pulled all the stops to ensure that event was safe.
“The event was hosted outdoors in a tent to allow free circulation of air. The wearing of masks for all exhibitors and guests was mandatory and continually encouraged throughout the event. (The) wearing of gloves was mandatory and continually encouraged for all exhibitors,” she said.
“Hand sanitization was highly frequent as there were three sanitizing stations that were strictly manned and managed by our event personnel. These were placed at the gate point of entry and at the main exhibition tent point of entry and at the exit point of the venue. All guests who intended to attend the event must have registered and paid in advance and selected their preferred time allocation. There were three time slots on the event day for guests to enter the venue. Each time slot had a limited number of guests to facilitate the management of guest in the venue in terms of other COVID-19 measures like social distancing,” Chakabuda explained.
Chakabuda highlighted that the Zim Cake Expo was one of the most sought after event by cake lovers, aspiring cake bakers and other people who have a passion for cake baking.
“The Zim Cake Expo brings together 50 established Cake Bosses who showcase stunning cake creations and offer over 30 flavours of cakes,” she said.
Asked about the history of the event, Chakabuda explained that from its beginnings as a cake tasting event in Mount Pleasant eight years ago, the event had grown in stature.
“The first edition event and subsequent editions were hosted at Pleasant Villa Gardens in Mount Pleasant, an event venue which is owned by my mother. It was these humble beginnings that have moulded the event into what it is today,” said Chakabuda.