OSJCT Buckinghamshire care homes celebrate 11th annual Christmas Bake-Off at Wing View Care Centre
OSJCT’s Buckinghamshire care homes recently came together to host their much-loved annual Christmas Bake-Off competition, now in its eleventh year. This year’s event was held at the newly opened Wing View Care Centre in Wing, Leighton Buzzard, providing a wonderful opportunity to introduce the new residents and their families to the OSJCT community.
The Bake-Off is a long-standing tradition that brings together residents, staff, and families to celebrate the festive season and showcase their baking talents. It’s a highlight of the year, where participants create tasty treats that are both delicious and beautifully designed.
The anticipation builds in early November, when residents and staff start planning and perfecting their bakes, testing various recipes and decorations. All the activity is documented in a special keepsake project book—a cherished memento that allows residents to look back and reminisce about the creative bakes from past years.
The friendly competition features three categories: Best Design, Best Taste, and Star Baker – Best Bake. This year’s winners were:
- Best Taste: The Heights Care Home in Downley, with a square fruit cake decorated with stunning floral designs.
- Best Design: Chesham Leys in Chesham, with two beautifully decorated fruit cakes featuring a festive snow theme.
- Star Baker – Best Bake: Chesham Leys, who impressed judges with their overall baking excellence.
Our panel of judges included OSJCT’s Catering Manager Rick Solomon, Lead Admiral Nurse Angie Williams, Sales Manager Steph Palmer, and Luke, The Baker Boy from well-loved bakery in Leighton Buzzard. Each judge had the tough task of selecting the winners from a wide array of fantastic entries.
Cathy Charles, New Client Manager, said "for many years "the Bake-Off event had always been very popular amongst the care services with healthy competition. This year was no exception and hosting the competition in Wing View Care Centre's newly refurbished home felt very special. The residents thoroughly enjoyed tasting the delicious cakes, whilst socialising with their visitors from other services. A wonderful afternoon had by all. There will be many more to come.".
Cheryl, a Wing View resident said, "it must be very hard for the judges to decide on winners as they all are so good.”
The winners received trophies to proudly display in their homes, and every participant was awarded a certificate of recognition for their efforts. The event was filled with festive cheer, and the line of the day was “I am all caked out…” as residents and staff enjoyed the generous servings of delicious cakes.
Hosting this year’s Bake-Off at Wing View Care Centre not only provided a fantastic setting for the event but also served as a wonderful introduction for our new residents and their families, making them feel welcomed into the OSJCT community.
The annual Christmas Bake-Off remains a celebration of creativity, community, and the spirit of togetherness, bringing smiles and joy to all involved during the most wonderful time of the year.