BaptistCare homes go head-to-head in the ultimate Christmas cake cook-off competition!
Seventeen BaptistCare homes compete in our first Christmas cake cook-off.
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05 December 2023
News
| BaptistCare
What do you get when you put seventeen BaptistCare homes to the test in a rigorous Christmas cake cook-off? There’s a whole lot of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs involved of course – but also a great deal of fun, laughter, storytelling, and a bit of friendly competition too!
Residents of seventeen BaptistCare homes from NSW and the ACT recently took up the challenge in our first Christmas cake cook-off. Each home sorted through their best ‘old family recipes’, before deciding on a single recipe to represent the home. The recipes had to be for a traditional Christmas fruit cake. Resident-led groups at each home then baked the cakes and shipped them off to BaptistCare Shalom Centre for the judging awards ceremony.
At the awards ceremony this week, residents and families gathered to watch the judges blind-taste the cakes, a’ la MasterChef style! Residents also got a chance to taste the cakes after the judging was completed.
The cake-loving judges, Allan Waters, General Manager of Residential and Retirement Living, Jenny Blok, General Manager of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, and Stuart Walton, BaptistCare Hotel Services Manager, discussed the merits of all the cakes before awarding the trophy to the winner, BaptistCare Caloola Centre for its beautiful Christmas cake decorated with nuts and cherries. The recipe was a tried and true one with great flavours.
“We chose the winning cake from BaptistCare Caloola Centre for its quality, size and volume. As a traditional-style Christmas cake, its flavour was beautiful,” said Allan.
Three homes tied for second place, including BaptistCare Dorothy Henderson Lodge, BaptistCare Maranoa Centre and BaptistCare Griffith Centre. All other participants were presented with a ribbon.
“The competition is a lovely way to connect our homes at a time of year when connection is so important,” said Rae Blackledge, Head of Engagement and Quality of Life.
“The cook-off generated a sense of pride in residents in competing for their homes, and we even had cakes sent in from as far away as Ballina, Parkes, and Dubbo!
“Thank you to all who participated - residents, families, volunteers and employees. It was inspiring to see residents showcase their baking skills, and to bring our community together.”
And the winner is....BaptistCare Caloola Centre!