After a stretch of online meetings and low key milestones, in person events have returned to Sydney’s business calendar with more intent. Corporate catering is no longer a side note. It’s part of how companies shape the experience of a meeting, launch, or internal celebration. While full meal service still plays a role in some functions, smaller format catering is taking the lead for many boardroom gatherings. That includes cakes. Not just as dessert, but as a deliberate element of presentation and tone. In these settings, the food isn’t just served. It’s noticed, photographed, and often shared beyond the room.
Who’s actually ordering and why it’s changed
Most corporate cake orders still come through office managers, executive assistants, or event coordinators, but the way they order has shifted. It’s no longer just about feeding a group. The request now often includes instructions to align with brand visuals, meet dietary needs, or avoid anything that looks too casual. In some offices, especially those with regular media facing events, the cake becomes part of the visual setup. It may appear in press photos, internal comms, or on social media. That extra visibility changes what’s considered appropriate, particularly for companies where image management is part of the day to day.
Even internal milestones are being handled with more intention. For team anniversaries, launches, or end of quarter celebrations, the cake has become a signal of how the business values its people. It’s not just a token anymore. Planners are asking for designs that reflect the tone of the business. Professional, but personal enough to land well with staff.
The styles of cakes that are getting eaten
The days of novelty cakes shaped like logos or laptops are fading. In their place are clean, well finished cakes that look polished in a corporate setting. Popular choices include simple white or neutral buttercream finishes with subtle design elements. Edible branding, gold leaf detail, or dried florals. These styles work well across industries because they balance formality with visual interest. Some cakes include light text, like a short event name or milestone message, but the emphasis is on texture and finish, not decoration for its own sake.
Many planners are also moving toward smaller cakes in multiples rather than one large centrepiece. This allows for mixed flavours and easier accommodation of dietary needs. For example, a vegan chocolate cake might sit alongside a traditional lemon sponge, both styled to match. This approach keeps the visual impact while offering flexibility. And in settings where aesthetics matter, it avoids the awkward workaround of having one standout cake and a few plain alternatives.
The shift in suppliers and expectations
As demand for weekday orders has grown, so have the expectations around delivery, timing, and design flexibility. Many event planners in Sydney are no longer relying on large scale caterers for baked goods. Instead, they’re turning to smaller cake studios that can respond quickly and customise to brief. These suppliers are often more familiar with the specific presentation standards needed in corporate settings and are willing to offer short turnaround consultations when things move fast.
When it comes to corporate cakes for Sydney events, reliability often matters more than creative range. A cake that arrives looking exactly as discussed, on time, and in transport ready condition is worth more to a planner than an elaborate one with uncertain delivery. That shift in values has pushed smaller operations to invest in better delivery systems and more consistent packaging. It also means repeat orders tend to go to suppliers who communicate clearly and document every detail.
Dietary inclusivity is now non negotiable
These days dietary options are no add ons but are built into the order from the start. Whether the group is large or small, most planners assume that someone attending will need an alternative to standard ingredients. That includes gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, and fully plant based options. Rather than offering generic separate items, the preference is now for inclusive designs that look identical to the main cake.
This is where some suppliers still fall short. A visually consistent set of cakes that meets a wide range of dietary needs is harder to produce, but it’s what many Sydney clients are now looking for. The goal is not just to include everyone, but to do so without drawing attention to who is eating what. That only works when the styling, flavour, and structure of each variation holds up in the same presentation.
When the cake fits the tone of the room, caters to everyone present, and arrives exactly as expected, it becomes more than a sweet finish. It shows that someone cared enough to plan it properly. That level of care matters more now, not less, especially as face to face events return with greater focus.
