The first special prize winner of the children’s jury of Hungary’s Sugar-Free Cake has arrived

Around the same time as the children’s jury decision, the world’s first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes was introduced, with the professional cooperation of the One Drop of Attention Foundation. The launch is accompanied by an educational campaign in the coming months to help spark conversations about diabetes – among affected children and their peers, as well as their parents. The special award of the children’s jury is another milestone in this program: a meeting of gastronomy and play with an important social message.

“Barbie is a true pioneer. She donned a spacesuit before the moon landing and entered the operating room in a lab coat long before there were female surgeons.”

– says Kata Török, marketing manager of Mattel Hungary. –

“But the most exciting year for me was 2019, when the diversity-supporting Barbie portfolio was launched. Thanks to that, we were able to explore such important topics as what it’s like to live in a wheelchair or how a visually impaired person experiences daily life. This year, we can talk about what diabetes means in a child’s life. Over the years, we’ve seen that these dolls are more than just toys. They are little ambassadors helping people understand that we are not all the same – and that’s not a flaw, but a value.”

The importance of the topic is underlined by the fact that more than 5,000 children in Hungary currently live with diabetes, and hundreds of new type 1 cases are diagnosed each year. “What does a small child feel when they realize that their life must change from now on?” – asks Brigitta Harkányi, a representative of the One Drop of Attention Foundation. – “Their entire world transforms. Day by day, they must learn when and how much they can eat, how much insulin to administer, and how to interpret their body’s signals. But at the same time, they remain children who want to play and fit in with others. And children very quickly notice when someone is different – often unintentionally, they may distance themselves. This can be deeply painful for the affected child. That’s why it’s important to have experiences from early childhood – even something as simple as sharing a slice of cake – that help talk about differences. And show that it’s perfectly okay.”

One of the keys to social inclusion is honest and open curiosity toward others. “I feel lucky that I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes only as an adult, at age 25. It must be much harder for those who face this diagnosis as children. In such cases, the entire family must learn to adapt, and they need both professional and emotional support,” says Antónia Erős, founder of the One Drop of Attention Foundation. – “The special award-winning cake or the diabetic Barbie doll won’t solve the situation. But they can start a conversation – and often that’s the first step toward understanding and acceptance.”

The “Summer Awakening” cake selected by the children not only meets the dietary needs of diabetics, but also provides a truly special flavor experience. The fresh notes of apricot evoke the warmth of summer days, while the comforting embrace of tea and walnut form a unique harmony – just the kind we love to share with others. Whether it’s for a birthday, a celebration, or simply a shared moment.

The Barbie Children’s Jury special award-winning cake will be available in many pastry shops. The full list of locations will be published on August 19 at egycseppfigyelem.hu.

This year’s winner of the Sugar-Free Cake of Hungary competition is “Dreamer,” created by Alfréd Kovács, pastry chef of Édes Vonal Confectionery in Vác.