A jaw-dropping six-foot Michael Jackson “Thriller” cake was unveiled on Friday 31 October in Birmingham, stunning fans and judges alike with a deliciously detailed tribute to the King of Pop’s most iconic Halloween look.
The edible masterpiece took centre stage at Cake International at the NEC in Birmingham, where some of the world’s most extraordinary cake artists gathered to showcase their talent. Standing life-sized and weighing almost 50 kilograms, the sculpture recreates MJ’s legendary 1983 Thriller era, complete with curls, red jacket, and zombie-ready stance.
Made from sugar paste, chocolate, Rice Krispies, and marshmallow, the spooky-sweet creation also features gravestones crafted from sugar paste, forming the perfect Halloween backdrop for the King of Pop.
The artist behind the masterpiece, Emma Jayne, a mother of three from South Wales, spent six weeks bringing the edible MJ to life, no stranger to royal-level cake artistry after creating life-size figures of the King in 2023 and the Queen last year. From meticulously sculpted facial features to MJ’s signature shoes, every inch of the edible icon is packed with precision and passion.
Transporting such a creation was a mission in itself. Emma drove three hours from Aberdare to Birmingham with the cake’s head transported separately for safety, and the body lying flat in a hired van equipped with a tail lift.
“The body had to travel lying down because even though it’s got an armature in it, it wouldn’t take the rocking,” Emma explained. “It arrived really, really well — just a tiny bit of damage on the back of the lapel. Otherwise, he got here perfectly.”
Alongside MJ, Cake International is packed with more star-powered sugar creations, including edible tributes to Elvis Presley and Jim Carrey. One competitor even flew their creation all the way from Australia, giving the cake its own seat on the plane!
The event also unveiled a Guinness World Record-breaking £15,000 cake stand, adorned with precious metals and jewels, set to tour Dubai before reaching its buyer.
Judging took place today, with winners set to be announced on Saturday. For those craving a look at the sugary spectacle, Cake International runs at the NEC until Sunday.
