Every year since 2009, a cake has been created by a renowned confectioner for a prominent personality. The ceremonial handover of this masterpiece takes place at midnight, marking one of the highlights of the ZuckerBäckerball.
At the festive press conference hosted by “Ballmutti” and Vice Honorary Consul Prof. Birgit Sarata, musical star Maya Hakvoort was announced as this year’s recipient of the celebrity cake.
Every year since 2009, a cake has been created by a renowned confectioner for a prominent personality. The ceremonial handover of this masterpiece takes place at midnight, marking one of the highlights of the ZuckerBäckerball.
Since 2009, it has become a tradition of the ZuckerBäckerball to craft a cake for an outstanding personality each year. This sweet creation is presented in a festive ceremony at midnight, forming one of the ball’s radiant highlights.
At the press conference hosted by “Ballmutti,” Vice Honorary Consul Prof. Birgit Sarata, a crowd of curious journalists, TV teams, and prominent guests gathered in Vienna’s city center. At precisely 11:00 AM, the long-guarded secret that all attendees eagerly awaited was finally unveiled.
The celebrity cake at the 122nd ZuckerBäckerball on January 16, 2025, will be presented to the Dutch singer and musical theatre actress Maya Hakvoort, who has lived in Vienna since 1994. With her versatile voice and acting talent, she has secured a firm place in the musical theatre scene.
This is already the second time Hakvoort has received this honor: in 2014, she was celebrated as the star guest with a cake from the Demel patisserie, a delicious hazelnut creation.
In addition to this sweet tribute, Hakvoort will also perform a musical piece as part of the ZuckerBäckerball’s grand opening. During the press event, the singer delivered a musical performance of “A Piece of Sky” from Yentl, originally performed by Barbra Streisand.
Vice Honorary Consul Prof. Birgit Sarata emphasized: “An impressive singer and influential figure in Austria’s musical scene – she is a star guest at the ZuckerBäckerball for the second time and continues to captivate us all!”
Dr. Kurt Schebesta, the ball organizer, added: “Balls and music are inseparably linked. It is important to us to maintain close ties to Vienna’s fantastic music scene. This year, we are especially delighted to welcome Maya Hakvoort, one of the most remarkable voices in the musical theatre world, as the star guest at our ball!”
You were already the star guest at the ZuckerBäckerball in 2014. What memories do you have of that evening?
Maya Hakvoort: My memory of the 2014 ball is wonderful. How often do you receive an artistic cake as an honorary gift? Not only that – a dress was even made especially for me. I truly felt like a princess.
How do you experience the Viennese ball tradition?
Maya Hakvoort: In fact, I’m not really used to attending balls. They don’t play a significant role in Dutch tradition. It wasn’t until 1994, when I came to Austria, that I discovered the Austrian ball culture – and it is truly beautiful. And honestly, what woman doesn’t love being treated like a princess?
How often can you manage to attend a ball with your busy schedule?
Maya Hakvoort: I can only manage one ball per season, but this is one I absolutely won’t miss. Also, the ZuckerBäckerball – two years ago, I attended it with Michael Lakner, the director of the Stadttheater Baden. We danced a lot. It was a wonderful evening.
Have you already thought about your cake?
Maya Hakvoort: Yes, in 2014, I was allowed to choose a cake – back then, I decided between a delicious hazelnut cake and one with cherries. For the upcoming ball, hazelnut is definitely a given – old loves never fade. But which fruit will accompany it, I won’t reveal just yet.
What are you looking forward to at the ball this year?
Maya Hakvoort: I’m very excited. The guests are always beautifully dressed, and I wish them to fully enjoy the evening, relax, and have lots of fun dancing and celebrating.
Can you share something about your musical contribution to the opening?
Maya Hakvoort: I will sing during the opening – including “All That Jazz” from the musical Chicago. Additionally, there will be a musical collage featuring Barbra Streisand’s songs “A Quiet Thing” and “There Won’t Be Trumpets.” This is the finale of my program “Honoring Barbra Streisand.”
SHORT PROFILE: MAYA HAKVOORT
Maya Hakvoort, a trained mezzo-soprano, began her career with vocal studies at the Conservatory of Maastricht and continued her education at the Cabaret Academy in Amsterdam and the acting school De Trap. She gained her first experiences in musical productions in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Belgium, and in 2004 introduced her first solo show, “Maya Goes Solo,” on New Year’s Eve. In 2005 and 2006, she toured with this program through several countries, including Austria, Italy, and Japan.
Her solo album, “In My Life,” premiered in Vienna in 2007 and continued in Japan in 2008. In 2009, she presented “Maya’s Musical Life,” her third solo program. In 2010, she appeared as Victoria Grant in Victor/Victoria in Stockerau, and her fourth solo program, “This is My Life,” premiered in 2011. Hakvoort’s impressive stage career continued: in 2011, she played Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca in St. Gallen, and in 2013, she performed as Madame Giry in the concert version of Love Never Dies at the Vienna Ronacher.
From 2014 to 2017, she took on major roles, including Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and Diana Goodman in Next to Normal. Between 2018 and 2022, she appeared in various productions, including Next to Normal in Vienna, Blutsbrüder in Brunn, and Sunset Boulevard at several renowned stages. She also performed as Fräulein Rottenmeier in Heidi and as the Witch in Into the Woods.
In 2023, she toured with This is the Greatest Show and played Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret in Baden. She also performed in another open-air production of Elisabeth at Schönbrunn Palace.
Maya Hakvoort has received numerous significant awards. In 2011, she was honored with the Gold Medal of Merit of the Republic of Austria. Following a gala celebrating her 50th birthday at the Raimund Theater, she received the Golden City Hall Man from City Councillor for Culture Andreas Mailath-Pokorny. In November 2016, Governor Erwin Pröll presented her with the Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the State of Lower Austria. Most recently, in 2023, she was awarded the Austrian Music Theater Prize and received the Special Award for her outstanding portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at Bühne Baden.
THE CELEBRITY CAKE THROUGH THE YEARS
Since 2009, the following celebrities have been delighted with their personal cake creations:
121st ZuckerBäckerball - 2024: Herbert Lippert (Nougat cake by Kurkonditorei Oberlaa, inspired by Lippert's painting "Erkenne mich.")
120th ZuckerBäckerball - 2023: Yury Revich (Cake with "violin" decoration by Konditorei Groissböck)
119th ZuckerBäckerball - 2020: Daniela Fally (Sacher cake with "Vienna State Opera" decoration by Kurkonditorei Oberlaa)
118th ZuckerBäckerball - 2019: Ildikó Raimondi and Herbert Lippert (Chocolate cake by Kaffeekonditorei Hübler)
117th ZuckerBäckerball - 2018: Patrick Lindner (Giant Baumkuchen by Aida)
116th ZuckerBäckerball - 2017: Vincent Schirrmacher (Sacher cake by Hotel Sacher Wien)
115th ZuckerBäckerball - 2016: Natalia Ushakova (Malakoff cake by K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker L. Heiner)
114th ZuckerBäckerball - 2015: Alice Tumler (Cottage cheese and apricot cake by K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker Demel)
113th ZuckerBäckerball - 2014: Maya Hakvoort (Hazelnut cake by Konditorei Demel)
112th ZuckerBäckerball - 2013: "Mr. Life Ball" Gery Keszler (Chocolate-mango cake by Konditorei Hanauer)
111th ZuckerBäckerball - 2012: Lilian Klebow (Chocolate dream by Konditorei Groissböck)
110th ZuckerBäckerball - 2011: Michael Konsel (Chocolate cake by Kurkonditorei Oberlaa)
109th ZuckerBäckerball - 2010: Barbara Karlich (Malakoff cake by Landtmann’s Feine Patisserie)
108th ZuckerBäckerball - 2009: Birgit Sarata (Chocolate mousse cake with strawberries by K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker Gerstner)
Some impressions from the press event with "Ball Testimonial" Vice-Honorary Consul Prof. Birgit Sarata and the announcement of Maya Hakvoort as the star guest.
