Bake-Off bonanza beats the blues
With DIY entertainment continuing to be the order of the day in care home settings under Covid restrictions, residents at Wellington’s Camelot House and Lodge have been treated to an in-house Great British Bake-Off which involved them in selecting their Star Bakers as well as tantalising everyone’s tastebuds.
Activities organiser, Richard Dempslake, said: “The TV programme is a firm favourite with our residents so we thought it would be fun to re-enact some of the challenges the contestants face, and we knew everyone would love tasting and judging the bakes that came in.”
An invitation was issued ahead of time to residents’ families, friends and staff to bake an original Showstopper – entries to be judged by the residents, who also had fun making rosettes for the winners.
The day kicked off with a Technical Challenge for the residents themselves - all living with dementia - who were supported to make Rice Krispy and cornflake cakes.
Richard Dempslake said: “Families, friends and staff entered some wonderful Showstoppers that made the residents gasp with admiration, including a three-tier chocolate surprise cake that Millie, our deputy manager's daughter made.
“The surprise was the incredible variety of delicious sweets she’d managed to fit inside!
“Other entries included Victoria sponge, orange and chocolate cake, cupcakes and chocolate fudge brownies.
“Judging for the Star Bakers was done by each resident placing the rosette they had made next to their favourite cake, then our Star Bakers were awarded trophies, with activities assistant Kathy Burge winning for Camelot House and activities assistant Sophie Carter for Camelot Lodge.
“To set a mood of sophistication and elegance we listened to classical music, which prompted one resident to comment: ‘This is so posh,’ which was lovely.
“After the judging we sliced and diced all the cakes and shared them out, and the event became a lovely chat and natter tea party.”
Camelot House and Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care providers, Camelot Care, who also run homes in Bridgwater and Plymouth
