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Nellsar residents and staff impress with their fantastic Showstopper Cakes

The Great Nellsar Cake Off

Last month we launched our very own ‘Great Nellsar Cake Off’, following the launch of series 11 of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4. We challenged our residents and staff to come together to bake beautiful cakes and bag a Nellsar Star Baker prize. We all love cake, so it was the perfect competition!

Frosting, sprinkles, jumping stars, chocolate drizzle, the sky was the limit, and we were excited to see what creations our Homes could come up with.

And we weren’t disappointed! We were delighted to receive photo entries of a wonderful selection of amazing cakes and judging took place on Thursday 8 October.

Judges Viv Stead (Recreation and Well-Being Manager), Adrian Silaghi (Head of Catering Services) and Jodie Currey and Kirstie Newell (Nellsar Marketing Team) had their work cut out, as there were so many fantastic themes, decorations and photos of residents and staff working together on their Showstopper projects.

They really were blown away with the creativity and effort behind all the entries.

We are delighted to announce our winners:

First Prize (£200 for Residents’ Fund)

Meyer House Care Home’s stunning ‘Holiday in a Cake’ – a seaside themed cake with sea, sand, shells, palm trees and fishes! Judges were impressed with the collaborative planning and creation of the cake between residents and staff, and thought the cake’s finish was excellent. Manager Gill commented; “As none of us are going abroad this year, we are missing the idea of sun, sea and sand – so we decided on a ‘Holiday in a Cake’. Our residents came up with decoration ideas and sprinkled the sand effect on the top. Lemon sponge with butter cream, delightful!”

Meyer House seaside themed cake

Second Prize (£100 for Residents’ Fund)

Princess Christian Care Home’s impressive Wedgwood Queen’s Cake – a chocolate and vanilla sponge, filled with mascarpone cream and fresh strawberries and oranges. Chef Cosmin and his resident ‘Trainee Chefs’ created this beautiful cake together in a Bake Off masterclass! Judges loved the beautiful design and the commitment of everyone involved. Cosmin was thrilled with the result; “Our residents were so happy to get involved in the preparations, including cutting the fruits and beating the eggs. As we worked they told me stories about when they used to bake. We started at 11am and enjoyed the amazing six layered cake at 3pm with a cup of tea.”

Princess Christian Wedgwood Queen's Cake

Third Prize (£50 for Residents’ Fund)

The Old Downs Residential Care Home’s ‘Our Home’ cake – an incredible replica of The Old Downs in fruit cake and sponge! Judges really liked how residents and staff spent time considering their cake concept and included different resident favourite flavours in their Showstopper. Manager Caroline explained; “We wanted to showcase the place where we feel safe and happy…our Home! The ground floor level is made from a fruit cake with mixed spices. The second floor is made of a fruit cake with spices and ginger. The top layer is made with plain sponge, all layered with strawberry jam and marzipan before being iced and decorated.”

The Old Downs Home cake

Special Award for Creative Concept (£50 for Residents’ Fund)

St Winifreds Care Home’s Bowling Green and Pub/Bar cake – a wonderful Showstopper which showcased the lives of three of their residents in cake! Judges appreciated the personalised theme of this entry and how it brought about happy past memories. St Winifreds Recreation and Well-Being Team commented; “Our ‘Showstopper Cake’ was based around three of our residents’ lives. Firstly Marg, who worked in catering all her life as a Marks and Spencer Cook and played bowls in her spare time. Secondly, Doreen who was a landlady in four different pubs and also Barbra, who worked in a bar in Spain for many years.”

St Winfreds Care Home Bowling and Pub Cake

Huge congratulations to all our wonderful winners!

So many great cakes…

A massive thank you and well done to ALL our Homes who entered The Great Nellsar Cake Off. The standard was amazing and we were so impressed by everyone’s enthusiasm and creativity. They will all receive a special gift for taking part.

We are delighted to hear that the cakes were enjoyed across our Homes, with lots of nice cups of tea!

Check out all the amazing entries below…

 

 

 

 

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