Giant Strawberry Cake draws thousands to wait in line for a slice
STRAWBERRY CAKE MADNESS. Festival-goers brave the scorching heat and endure a lengthy queue to indulge in a slice of the delectable giant strawberry cake served during the highly anticipated ceremonial cutting at the Lednicky Hall of the La Trinidad Municipal Building in La Trinidad, Benguet. This grand celebration marks the highlight of the yearly Strawberry Festival, held on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Photo by: Merriam del Rosario // FNS
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The highly anticipated La Trinidad Strawberry Festival giant Strawberry Cake presentation on Saturday, March 18, 2023, once again stole the show with thousands of festival-goers patiently waiting in line for a chance to savor a slice of the appealing treat.
Some had even traveled from neighboring provinces and localities just to taste the cake, which already has become somewhat of a legend in the place.
This year’s festival featured a double treat with not just one, but twin giant cakes as the main highlight.
To top it off, the cakes also showcased the new Snow White strawberry variety, which is now available in the municipality.
The twin giant cakes were expertly crafted by the same team responsible for the 2017 edition, with the exception of Cranberry Bakeshop, which has since merged with Appleblossom Bakeshop.
The bakers this year included Badu Diner Café, Ad’Laine Bakeshop, Menchie’s Bakery, and Appleblossom Bakeshop.
The twin giant cakes impressively stood at approximately eight feet tall and contained 275 kilograms of strawberries.
Jayne Ducusin, owner of Badu Diner Café, said it was a tedious 32-hour project for a crew of 20 to complete, but the relief she felt after seeing scores of people waiting in line for the cake was priceless.
“It was hard because it was very tiring, but when I saw them patiently waiting in line to taste the fruit of our labor, I felt okay and the tiredness was gone,” Ducusin said in the vernacular.
The giant cake was made from 500 12×16-inch pans of strawberry cake, which should yield 16,000 slices of 3×2-inch cakes.
Ducusin said the team used the same recipe they had back in 2017 but with more berries this time.
“Back in 2017, we did several tests until we achieved the taste and texture we desired as a team, and unanimously went for Cranberry Bakeshop’s recipe,” Ducusin said in the vernacular.
The giant Strawberry Cake had always caused a sensation that attracted thousands of people each year the festival is celebrated.
The annual La Trinidad Strawberry Festival is a celebration of thanksgiving for the town’s bountiful strawberry harvest, which has become a major source of livelihood for many of its residents.
The festival has won several tourism awards and achieved a Guinness World Record in 2004 for the biggest strawberry shortcake ever created, weighing 9,622.23 kilograms.
The festival runs for the whole month of March and is expected to attract more visitors before it comes to a close on March 31. # Merriam del Rosario // FNS
