As the aroma of sweet spices, rich fruits, and freshly baked sponge filled the air, it could only mean one thing, the Fremantle Trust Christmas Cake Bake-Off is back! Now in its 10th year, the event has never been more popular, with nine of our care homes and two of our supported living services coming together to showcase their baking brilliance.

The baking journey

The magic of the Bake-Off begins long before judging day. Each participating home embarks on a baking adventure where residents and staff work together to design, bake, and decorate their cakes. But this process is about so much more than ingredients and recipes. Accompanying each baking session is a special project book, a scrapbook-style journal that captures every step of the experience. These project books feature photos, notes, and stories, allowing residents to reflect on their creative journey. It’s a tangible reminder of the teamwork, laughter, and effort that went into their masterpiece.

A day of cake, celebration, and community

Once the cakes are complete and the project books are filled, it’s time for the big celebration. This year, the event was held at Icknield Court care home in Princes Risborough, where residents, staff, family and guests gathered for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition.

The scene was pure festive magic. The smell of sweet spices lingered in the air as residents admired each other’s creations, with plenty of chatter as friends reconnected and new friendships blossomed.

The tasting session began with steaming mugs of tea, mulled wine, and even a cheeky glass of sherry on hand. The judges tasted and deliberated, but it wasn’t an easy task. Every cake was a triumph in its own right. Arvette, the Fremantle Trust Quality Manager summed it up perfectly:

It was an honour to come along and judge – the standard was amazing, and they all tasted wonderful. So much hard work has been put into creating these fabulous cakes. Everyone should be very proud – the whole afternoon was so enjoyable.

And the Winners…

After much tasting and thoughtful deliberation, the judges crowned the following winners for 2024:

Best tasting cake: Icknield Court Care Home

The flavour was everything you could hope for in a Christmas cake, it was rich, moist, and perfectly spiced. Resident Maureen shared her excitement, saying:

I can’t believe we won best tasting, it’s lovely – we put a lot of work into baking our cake and are delighted with how it turned out.

Best decorated cake: The Heights Nursing Home

The cake was a work of art, intricately hand-painted by resident Linda with dazzling colours, and a design that wowed everyone in the room. Linda, a resident of The Heights accepted the award with pride, saying:

We loved getting together, baking, and creating this cake. I am very proud to accept the trophy on behalf of The Heights.

Most creative cake: Aylesbury Supported Living

The Aylesbury Supported Living team unleashed their imaginations, crafting a cake that was as playful as it was delicious. Their cake celebrated originality, and the judges were impressed by their unique design.

All the winners received shiny trophies, which they proudly displayed for everyone to see. Every participant enjoyed participating and walked away with a sense of pride.

The benefits of baking

While the awards are always a highlight, the heart of the Bake-Off lies in the experience itself. Baking has a positive impact on residents, providing sensory stimulation, sparking happy memories, and bringing them together. From the feeling of soft dough in their hands to the smell of a cake fresh out of the oven, every part of the process is engaging.

As Sue Faulkner, Lifestyle and Wellbeing Manager explains:

We are very proud of this annual event as everyone gets behind it with great enthusiasm. Baking is a great sensory activity and can be enjoyed by all. From the smells and tastes to improving mood, boosting creativity, and encouraging social interaction, everyone has a sense of pride in their creation.

The social aspect of baking is just as valuable as the sensory benefits. As residents and staff mix and decorate together, they chat, share stories, and relive past experiences.

And long after the cake is eaten, residents can flip through the project book pages, relive the joy of the Bake-Off, and celebrate their accomplishments.

Here’s to 10 amazing years of the FMT Christmas Cake Bake-Off — and many more!