A sugar-filled celebration took place in Washington, D.C., as over 200 bakers gathered at the National Museum of Women in the Arts for the D.C. Big Cake Exchange. The event, which saw each participant bringing either one or two cakes, became a delightful experience for bakers and cake enthusiasts alike.
Jill Nguyen and Tiffany MacIsaac, the creators of this cake-filled event, aimed to foster a community where the joys of baking could be shared. “This is what baking is about, you know, feeding people. We love making food, learning about new baking techniques,” Nguyen stated amidst the buzzing excitement of the event. She added, “This might be the happiest place on Earth right now. Like sorry Disneyland, I will take this.”
On July 20, participants formed a line that wrapped around the block, anticipating the chance to enjoy various unique cake flavors. With temperatures soaring to 90°F, bakers hoped their creations would withstand the heat. Attendees were thrilled to find more than 300 cakes displayed on tables, ranging from funfetti coated with colorful sprinkles to a stunning three-tier mocha caramel masterpiece. Even bold flavor combinations like carrot-cardamom sheet cake with passion fruit curd received their share of admiration.
The pandemic sparked a surge of baking across the nation, and Jill Nguyen, a resident of Capitol Hill, was no exception. Initially starting with sourdough bread, Nguyen transformed her love for baking into a thriving 9-to-5 venture. She now runs Capitol Jill Baking, where she offers a range of baked goods, including wedding and birthday cakes, and creates weekly product drops.
As her microbakery flourished, she found inspiration and support from local bakers through social media platforms like Instagram. One of those connections was with Tiffany MacIsaac, founder of the now-closed Buttercream Bakeshop, who has spent over twenty years in the culinary world. MacIsaac noted, “There’s no other city where I’ve seen local owners have so much support for one another.”
Building relationships within the baking community has been vital for both Nguyen and MacIsaac. Regular group texts allow business owners to share insights, tools, and resources, and to help each other navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. “I live in Capitol Hill, which to me feels like a tiny little village. It is a very tight-knit community,” Nguyen remarked. She emphasized her commitment to supporting local businesses, from sourcing ingredients to selecting baking resources.
MacIsaac highlighted the importance of creating a nurturing environment for female entrepreneurs in D.C. “I know how hard it was to kind of get where we are now and have the community that we have. And I think that it’s just imperative that we keep building that out,” she said.
Their inaugural cake exchange was a hit in March, attracting around 90 amateur bakers eager to share their creations. Following this success, Nguyen and MacIsaac decided to orchestrate a larger event in July. The venue for this second gathering came to fruition thanks to community support; a party in attendance at the first exchange offered the museum space for the second.
Part of the duo’s intention behind hosting these events is to empower bakers to build their confidence in the kitchen. Nguyen expressed her hopes that individuals remain curious and continue to explore new recipes and engage with fellow bakers. “I also hope that people will come to more events like this… and maybe that inspires someone to pursue a degree or just go work for a bakery,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen believes that connections fostered through baking are invaluable. “There is so much room for more bread and freshly baked pastry and good things in the city, and I think that people just really want to support good products and people who can tell a story and have the heart to create a community around them,” she said.
As the event concluded, the remnants of cake plates left behind illustrated the event’s success, with a mix of frosting and crumbs scattered throughout the museum’s main hall. The atmosphere was charged with the spirit of community and the joy of sharing delightful baked goods. It’s evident that both Nguyen and MacIsaac have succeeded in creating a vibrant local culture that celebrates baking and camaraderie, showcasing that there is indeed always room for more cake.
image source from：nbcwashington
