Ushering in the Christmas spirit

With Christmas being just a month away, the only thought the hovers over the mind is the thought of devouring the yummy Christmas cake. It is no fun without the Christmas cake and making it quick is also not an easy task- preparations begin months in advance. The first step towards making a cake is the mixing process, better known as the Cake mixing ceremony. 

This ceremony is a part of an age-old Christmas tradition, which dates back to 17th Century Europe. In those days, it marked the arrival of the harvest season. A lot of fruits and plums were harvested and used in making the traditional plum cake. In the stirring ceremony the ingredients of the festive fruit cake,the raisins, black currants, prunes, glazed dates, cherries, candid orange, lemon rinds and nuts like cashews, pistachios and almond are emptied on a large container and  mixed with wine and liquor in advance so that the ingredients can develop aroma and taste. 

Originally a family affair, it is for many years celebrated within organizations to spread camaraderie and goodwill. People from all the walks of life come together for such festivities The Suryaa,a five-star hotel hosted the Cake-mixing ceremony to mark the beginning of warmth and cheer of Christmas in the National Capital on November 11. The festivity started with the cake-mixing ceremony. This age-old ceremony of cake mixing was hosted to usher in good tidings and happiness. The guests were invited to be a part of this traditional celebration and were presented aprons and chef’s hat as a small token of love.

Patrons of the hotel and other guests along with members of the staff participated and contributed towards the large mixture. Senior Executive Sous Chef Pankaj Jha said, “The fruits are soaked for about a month, after which they are used to make the traditional plum cake and Christmas pudding. Also, for the cold and bone-chilling Christmassy weather, the plum cakes are the perfect food to help you beat the cold”.

The mixing ceremony was enjoyed by all the guests present in the gathering while the fragrance of different spirits that continued to linger on. Filled with camaraderie and cheer, this cake mixing ceremony not only infused fruits and wines, but also reaped in early Christmas cheer.