By: Khoon Daily
Date: December 19, 2025
Category: Lifestyle / Culinary News
Reading Time: 5 Minutes
Introduction: A Sweet Victory for Thailand
In the world of culinary arts, few challenges are as demanding and technically rigorous as 3D cake sculpting. It requires not just the palette of a chef, but the hands of a sculptor and the vision of an architect. This week, the spotlight shines brightly on Thailand as Saenglert Ponprapa, a talented local baker, defied the odds and captured the hearts of international judges in Europe.
Competing against elite bakers from around the globe, Saenglert secured a prestigious Gold Medal and a Runner-Up award in the highly competitive 3D Cake category at the CAKE & BAKE exhibition held in Dortmund, Germany. Her victory is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the rising prominence of Thai craftsmanship on the international stage.
The Stage: CAKE & BAKE Germany 2024
The CAKE & BAKE international trade fair in Dortmund is widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier events for the baking and confectionery industry. It is a gathering ground for professional pastry chefs, cake decorators, and industry experts.
The competition segment is notoriously difficult. Judges look for a trifecta of excellence:
- Technical Difficulty: Gravity-defying structures and seamless joinery.
- Artistic Interpretation: Originality and adherence to the theme.
- Detailing: The precision of edible painting, sugar work, and texture.
For a participant to travel thousands of miles from Thailand and stand out in such a crowded field is a remarkable feat, highlighting the universal language of art and food.
The Masterpiece: “The Eternal Love”
Saenglert’s winning entry was more than just a dessert; it was a narrative woven into sugar and flour. Titled “The Eternal Love – Love Without Limits Across Realms and Nations,” the cake was a visual storytelling marvel.
Inspiration Behind the Art
According to Saenglert, her inspiration was drawn from her personal passion for ancient Chinese series and fantasy novels. This genre is known for its ethereal aesthetics, tragic romances, and elaborate costumes—elements she translated perfectly into edible form.
- Visual Storytelling: The cake likely featured characters crossing boundaries, symbolizing the “love without limits” theme.
- Cultural Fusion: By bringing Asian fantasy aesthetics to a European competition, she offered the judges a unique cultural palette that distinguished her work from traditional Western designs.
This ability to transmute abstract concepts like “fantasy” and “eternal love” into a physical, edible 3D structure demonstrates a high level of artistic maturity.
The Complexity of 3D Cake Art
To understand the magnitude of this win, one must appreciate the difficulty of the medium. Unlike traditional tiered cakes, 3D cakes require:
- Structural Engineering: Internal frames (armatures) must support the weight of the cake and fondant without collapsing.
- Edible Modeling: Every visible part must usually be edible, requiring mastery of modeling chocolate, gum paste, and fondant.
- Time Management: These creations can take dozens, sometimes hundreds, of hours to complete, often battling humidity and temperature changes which can ruin sugar work.
A National Inspiration
News of Saenglert’s victory was first shared via her Facebook page, where she expressed her overwhelming pride. The post quickly garnered attention, with fellow Thais and baking enthusiasts flooding the comments with congratulations.
Her win serves as an inspiration for:
- Aspiring Bakers: Proving that local hobbies can turn into international careers.
- The Creative Industry: Highlighting how soft power—like food and art—can elevate a nation’s reputation.
Conclusion
Saenglert Ponprapa’s journey from a fan of fantasy novels to a Gold Medalist in Germany is a heartwarming story of passion meeting preparation. As she brings this accolade home, she not only validates her own skills but also places Thailand firmly on the map of the global confectionery elite. We eagerly await her next masterpiece.
Congratulations, Saenglert! You have made the nation proud.
FAQ: Related to this Story
Q: What is the CAKE & BAKE competition?
A: It is Germany’s largest international trade fair and competition for cake design and baking, attracting talent from all over the world.
Q: What category did Saenglert win?
A: She won the Gold Medal and Runner-Up award in the 3D Cake Category.
Q: What was the theme of her cake?
A: The cake was titled “The Eternal Love,” inspired by Chinese fantasy series and novels.
Source & Credibility: This story is based on public announcements made by Saenglert Ponprapa regarding the CAKE & BAKE 2024 event results in Dortmund, Germany.
