CAKE-MIXING CEREMONIES MAKE A COMEBACK!

Christmas is still nearly a month away but hotels in Lucknow are leaving no stone unturned to bring back the Yuletide spirit like pre-Covid times. During the Covid pandemic restrictions the tradition of cake-mixing affairs were a very low-key affair but now they are back in physical avatar with in-house guests and patrons in attendance.

Recently, a grand cakemixing ceremony was held by Novotel Lucknow at its pool side. “We requested some international in-house guests to join us for the mixing ceremony. We had some bloggers and special invitees who were joined by our inhouse team led by Rahul Nama, our general manager. This is a very traditional and special occasion so we wanted to spread the happiness with our regular guests as well,” says hotel’s director of sales Namrata Tiwari.

Kids and teenagers were the ones who did the traditional cake-mixing. “Our executive chef Gyanendra Mahor has prepared a mix of 20 kgs dry fruits in which spices and beverages were poured. As its alcohol based so the elders poured the liquor and later kids hopped the band wagon. It was done in presence of our vice-president KK Manglik

and general manager Shiju Nair,” tells Lalit Dutta, hotel’s executive manager, food and beverage.

Seven-year-old Rakshit Arora is excited to take part in the pre-festival celebrations. He tells, “I have been part of this mixing ceremony and now I will come back on December 25 to buy the cake that I have made.”

Hyatt Regency has planned a cake-mixing and Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on December 10.

“This is a very busy period but traditions and celebrations have to go on. So, we will be holding both events together with our special guest and celebrate it in a big manner where we will announce the series of events

lined-up for Christmas and New Year,” adds hotel general manager Roshan Mendonsa.

Mixing is usually done a month in advance. “Traditionally, it’s done 45-day in advance so that liquor mixes well cherries and dry fruits. We did a ceremony in presence of some invitees and guests,” tells Sapna Clarks Inn area director Vaibhav Singh.

Since this is a very busy season due to the ongoing weddings so some hotels are organising in-house events. “The hotel is very busy till December 20 so held a small and candid ceremony with staff and some inhouse

guests,” tells Ramada Hotel’s executive chef Avinash Kumar. Now, all are looking forward to the Christmas treelighting ceremony which will lead to mega celebrations.

Kids taking part at the mixing ceremony at Hotel Clarks Awadh and (below) at Hotel Hilton.

HT PHOTOS Cake-mixing ceremony underway at hotel Novotel Lucknow.

The traditional ceremony at Hotel Sapna Clarks Inn