At Redcot, our Haslemere-based residential care home, the residents and care team have got the Yuletide Season underway with a festive Mince Pie Bake-A-Thon Competition.
“As Christmas is just around the corner, we wanted to do a fun and festive activity for the residents to get our twinkling, magical season underway,” said Staci Abernethy, the Interim Manager at Redcot.
“Knowing how much everyone loves the iconic television baking show, we thought it would be a lovely idea to host our own Mince Pie baking competition,” added Ann Essam, Redcot’s award winning Activities Coordinator.
Ann arranged for the residents to go head to head in the Mince Pie Bake-A-Thon with Redcot’s Chef, Helen Taylor-Bray. In a competition which would have received many special handshakes from a well-known, ‘Hollywood’ Baker, the residents and Chef Helen wasted no time once they heard the words ‘On Your Marks, Get Set, Bake’.
“It got rather competitive, in a good natured, festive way,” added Ann. “Our Judge was our very own Christmas Pru-ne Fairy Staci, our Interim Manager. Staci tried all the pies without knowing who had baked which batch.”
“I love Mince Pies and was very honoured and excited to take on the role as Judge,” said Staci. “It was a tough decision as they were all so tasty. I had to have a few tastings just to make sure I chose the right winner; but in the end Susan Osbourne, who has been a resident at Redcot since September 2022, took the crown. Susan’s mince pies were absolutely delicious.”
“Making the Mince Pies and getting everyone involved was great fun,” said Mince Pie Bake-A-Thon Winner, Susan. “We all had a wonderful time, laughing and joking with each other.”
“It was lovely to hear the residents reminiscing as they were making their mince pies,” added Ann. “Baking can evoke memories, whether it’s a memory of cooking with loved ones or even the smell of a freshly baked loaf of bread. The residents’ conversations were about how their Mothers and Aunts used to make the Christmas Mince Pies and Christmas Puddings and many recalled how there was always a race to see who would find the lucky Sixpence in the pudding.”
“Baking has many benefits for everyone, but especially for older people. It can be an artistic and imaginative pastime which can also be calming. This, in turn, helps with relaxation and reducing stress,” continued Staci. “It can trigger and activate the senses – feeling the soft flour, rubbing in the cold butter, the smell of the tasty bakes in the oven and, of course, tasting the scrumptious results.
“All our Mince Pie Bakers created amazing bakes, with no soggy bottoms in sight. All the Mince Pies were lip-smackingly yummy, but didn’t last long, as they magically disappeared during afternoon tea. There definitely won’t be any left for Santa to try on Christmas Eve,” concluded Ann.
Find out more about Redcot care home by calling 01428 644 637 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.