Talented pensioners have the recipe for success
RECIPES FROM County Wexford three pensioners are among the star inclusions in a new recipe book that was created recently backed by celebrity chef, Darina Allen.
Molly Kiely, Hilda Kendrick and Johanna Fortune are among the star chefs of the ‘Nursing Home Bake Off ’ publication, which was created by Mowlam Healthcare.
The three are residents in Castle Gardens Nursing Home and Memory Care Centre in Enniscorthy and they were delighted to have their recipes included in the book.
Former head chef Molly, who celebrated her 100th birthday early in 2020, was born and raised in Ferns and she shared her Christmas Cake recipe.
Hilda, who grew up on the family farm in Clone, contributed her recipe for pancakes while Johanna, who trained as an assistant nurse in the UK, baked a rich tea brack.
Some of the recipes included in the publication date back three generations and the 106page book transports readers into the heart of Irish kitchens to learn how to make simple, yet delicious, desserts.
Significantly, it also tells the stories of the exceptional men and women who shared their recipes.
Darina Allen gifted two of her own recipes and expressed delight at being able to support the venture.
‘I am so happy to support this inspired project,’ she said, adding that the book contained ‘many wonderful recipes and stories of traditional home baking, with skills lovingly passed from mother to child down through the generations.’
She congratulated all of the contributors and said it was brilliant ‘ to see them living well and keeping up their skills in nursing home care’.
‘Keep baking and carry on,’ she said.
Joe Hanrahan from Mowlam Healthcare said the group was delighted to be able to facilitate the production of the book.
He said it was a great way to enhance the quality of life of older people in Ireland.
‘ This would not have been possible without the dedication of our Mowlam teams in all our locations, with a special mention for our activity co-ordinators and catering teams,’
he said.
Mr Hanrahan said that while things have been different for nursing home residents because of the pandemic life still goes on as normal.
‘We are very proud that the skills and traditions of our residents are now in print and
copies of the recipe book are being distributed to all Mowlam Healthcare homes,’ he said.
The recipes all come from residents of Mowlam Healthcare nursing homes from around the country and the idea to gather together the collection of firm favourites was inspired
by the trailblazing baking skills of a 91-year-old woman in Ennis Nursing Home, Co Clare.
Ardent hurling fan and Liverpool FC supporter Cissie Collins bakes scones and apple cakes for fellow residents during baking demonstrations she hosts every Wednesday.