- A Taste of Heaven founder Vijitha Kumara’s recipe for success
A Taste of Heaven has become a household name for cakes that not only look stunning but taste exceptional. It’s more than just a bakery; it’s a testament to one man’s relentless pursuit of perfection, a journey that began with curiosity and flourished into a cake empire.
Behind its success is Vijitha Kumara, a baker whose journey from a home kitchen to a thriving business was built on skill, persistence, and an eye for trends. “I watched my sister make cakes and was really interested,” he recalled. That fascination soon turned into a career path, leading him to train under some of the finest industry professionals.
His early years saw him working at The Fab in Sri Lanka before moving to Hilton Abu Dhabi, then back to The Fab, then to Qatar, and once again back to The Fab. “The work tension at The Fab was high, and I felt the need to make my own business,” he said.
But striking out on his own wasn’t easy. With limited financial resources, Vijitha made a bold decision – he sold his car to fund his first bakery. “I started my first shop on Galle Road, and from there, it just took off. We kept having to expand again and again, and now we’re here.”
The cake that changed everything
Every success story has a turning point, and for Vijitha, it came in the form of a cake for actress Dinakshie Priyasad’s mother. “She posted a picture of the cake on Facebook, and while watching the post itself, I saw it blowing up and going viral. From there on, I became known for celebrity cakes.”
Since then, A Taste of Heaven has become the go-to bakery for Sri Lanka’s most high-profile names. From birthdays to grand celebrations, Vijitha’s creations have graced the tables of countless stars. Yet, despite the fame, his commitment remains the same: “It doesn’t matter if you’re a celebrity or just someone celebrating at home, every cake should feel special.”
Vijitha is an artist with an uncompromising eye for detail. “I always get told my cake tastes good. I use the best ingredients and keep an eye on my cakes constantly. Even if I’m not there, I watch the cakes on my phone through cameras,” he admitted. “Even the smallest issue, I restart from the middle. I have never, ever sent out an ugly or misshapen cake, and I pride myself on that.”
His unique approach goes beyond just flavour and precision, it’s also about colour. “There are many people who make cakes, but what makes me special is the colours I use. I’ve never seen others use the colours I do. There’s a special technique I utilise to carve out a niche for myself.”
Keeping up with trends
The world of baking is constantly changing, but Vijitha thrives on keeping up with the latest trends. “Trends are important, so you have to keep up with them and be prepared to offer the customer what they want,” he explained. “Vintage cakes, for example, have been very popular and in demand, and I have mastered them.”
From classic butter cakes to elaborate fondant sculptures, his bakery offers something for everyone. “One day, I might be making a simple ribbon cake for a tea party, and the next, I’ll be working on a four-tier wedding cake covered in edible flowers. That’s what I love about this work, there’s never a dull moment.”
For Vijitha, baking is a craft that should be shared. That’s why he founded A Taste of Heaven Academy, where aspiring bakers can learn the skills that took him years to master. “Sri Lanka has a chance to carve out its own bakery niche, but we have to focus on quality, trends, and technique,” he said. “That’s why I wanted to start teaching.”
Through courses in cake decorating, fondant art, and professional pastry-making, the academy helps students refine their skills and build a future in the industry. “I want to help people make a living out of this. Baking has given me so much, and I want others to have that opportunity too.”
With his business thriving in Sri Lanka, Vijitha is setting his sights on something bigger: Expansion beyond the island’s shores. “My next step is the UK, Australia, or Dubai,” he told us. “It’s not easy. I need to visit them, research their methods, ingredients, and everything else. But I’m hoping to start on that soon.”
As Sri Lanka’s food culture continues to evolve, A Taste of Heaven remains at the forefront, setting new standards in cake artistry and innovation. With an academy shaping the next generation of bakers and international expansion on the horizon, the future looks incredibly sweet for Vijitha and his team.