Grace Pak, a talented baker, felt unsettled that the 250th-anniversary celebrations lacked plans for an official cake. Determined to fill this gap, she embarked on a mission to design a cake that would symbolize unity. Throughout the week, she dedicated herself to intricate details, such as crafting Lady Liberty’s torch.
Back in January, Pak posed a direct question to the congressional commission responsible for the nation’s milestone celebration. Was anyone planning on making a cake? The answer was no. This led Pak to take action, crafting a cake meant to be a work of bipartisan art.
The cake is a monumental creation, approximately the size of a Mini Cooper. It features ornate decorations, including chocolate Black Hawk helicopters in flight, an eagle positioned on a branch, and Lady Liberty’s arm sculpted from Rice Krispies Treats and green fondant. If she overcomes the remaining challenges, the cake will be presented at a ceremony on Saturday in the Library of Congress.
Pak, 39, is a recognized cake artist based in New York City. Her creations are frequently featured on the Food Network and at high-profile weddings, such as those at the Plaza Hotel. She understood that encapsulating the nation’s history and identity using flour and frosting was a formidable task. However, the political implications of her project were unforeseen.
Reflecting on the occasion, Pak expressed her concern that the 250th anniversary lacked excitement among many due to the current political environment. Yet, she believed that a cake might bridge divides, stating, “Bring cake and everyone’s in.”