Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Keeping alive a tradition

Goodwill: A cake mixing ceremony at the Holiday Inn Gem Park in Udhagamandalam.

Udhagamandalam: The painful happenings of November should be put behind and December should be ushered in with hope and confidence.

With this outlook, the hospitality industry in this holiday destination which has been hit hard by the recent natural calamity is getting ready for the Christmas, New Year and the summer of 2010.

In tune with this, the Holiday Inn Gem Park recently organised a “cake mixing ceremony”.

Pointing out that, it was in keeping with the long standing cake mixing tradition, the General Manager, Holiday Inn Gem Park Raju Shrestha told The Hindu here on Tuesday that Christmas is no fun without the traditional Christmas cake. “Making such a cake is not an easy task and the preparations begin well in advance.”

The first step is the process of mixing which is formally called the cake mixing ceremony.

Stating that it is a ritual which is religiously followed the world over, he said that it is believed to be a harbinger of good tidings and happiness.

The staff of the hotel displayed considerable enthusiasm in participating in the ceremony.

It was followed by the stirring ceremony which has for long been associated with wishes for the New Year.

The ingredients used for the festive fruit cakes were mixed with wine and liquor to facilitate better aroma and taste.

Pointing out that since yore, the cake mixing ceremony had been a family affair, Mr. Shrestha said that for the past several years organisations have been observing it to promote camaraderie and goodwill.

To a question, he said that the ceremony dates back to the 17th century. Stating that it is a much looked forward to event particularly in Europe, he said that it marked the arrival of the harvest season. For the cold “Christmassy” weather the traditional plum cake is a perfect energy food.

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