A 1,122-cupcake portrait awaited retiring King Open School Principal Tim Groves at a Saturday party. (Photo: Tim Plenk)

A uniquely sweet treat awaited King Open School Principal Tim Groves at a retirement party Saturday party: 1,122 cupcakes in the shape of his face.

It took 14 volunteers — parents, teachers, students and alumni — to bake the mini-cupcakes that morning and another 14 volunteers to frost them before the event, which honored Groves and three other school retirees, said Jean Cummings, who thought up and organized the cupcakes concept with School Committee member Alice Turkel.

It was the magic number. Groves was principal at the school for 14 years.

“It was fun,” Cummings said Sunday of the 4-foot by 6-foot display. “And delicious.”