Dateline Mussoorie: With Diwali celebrations drawing to a close, Rokeby Manor, Mussoorie, ushered in the forthcoming festive season with its first-ever cake-mixing ceremony, celebrating an age-old tradition synonymous with Christmas, goodwill and the promise of happiness.
Set against the charming backdrop of its cosy Tea Garden, the hotel provided an idyllic setting for the ceremony on a crisp early autumn evening. Reflecting the traditional Christmas palette of green, red and gold, the gathering brought together hotel staff, guests and special invitees from the town, all sporting festive caps and gloves as they gathered around a large mixing tub.
The air was filled with festive cheer as everyone joined in mixing an assortment of dry fruits, caramel, candied fruits and aromatic spices, soaked in fruit juices to create the rich, flavourful blend that forms the foundation of a traditional Christmas cake.
The ceremony was conducted under the guidance of Satyajit Kotwal, General Manager Rokeby Manor, who walked the guests through the process and shared insights into the ingredients that go into preparing the festive delicacy.
“We have used apricots, raisins, dates, tutti-frutti, spices and mace, all soaked in a selection of choicest juices. In about 40–45 days, this perfectly blended fruity mixture will be baked into traditional festive indulgences, setting the tone for the onset of Christmas in the hill station,” he said.
The cake-mixing ceremony, a cherished pre-Christmas tradition, symbolises abundance, prosperity and togetherness. The preparation of the fruit mixture well in advance allows the ingredients to mature and blend, lending the Christmas cake its characteristic richness and flavour.
The magical evening drew to a close with a leisurely high tea, as Mussoorie’s magnificent winterline stretched across the horizon. The warmth of the gathering, the festive spirit and the lingering aroma of freshly mixed cake batter made for a memorable evening, marking the beginning of the Christmas countdown in the hills.
