Buckingham Lodge Care Home wins national Christmas cake contest with Disney-themed creation

Staff and residents at Buckingham Lodge Care Home, in Carbrooke, near Watton, in Norfolk, are jubilant after their head chef won a national cake competition for the second time this year.

UK top 20 ranked large care home group (carehome.co.uk) Kingsley Healthcare gets competitive juices flowing with its Easter and Christmas cake competitions open to its 40 care homes across the UK.

After winning this year’s Easter cake competition, creating every element from scratch, including Easter bunnies, eggs and ornamental carrots, head chef Eszter Kosztolanczi began planning weeks in advance for Kingsley’s Christmas cake contest.

Her spectacular creation, with skilfully crafted Disney characters, including those from the film Frozen, immediately won over the judges, Kingsley’s Co-Chief Operating Officer Sumi Thayan and Debbie McGovern.

However, both agreed it was a hard task to judge because of the universally high standard.

Buckingham Lodge Manager Binu Augustine said: “We are so lucky to have Eszter as our head chef.  She has really lifted the quality and range of food at the home since she arrived last year.”

The cake was proudly displayed in reception until the time came for residents to eat it – and they all declared it tasted as good as it looked.  

Buckingham Lodge wins £100 for its residents’ fund which supports additional activities.

The runner up, Hadleigh Nursing Home, wins £50. Its Polar Express themed cake was the work of chef Dave Blanden and hospitality manager Michelle Bailey.

Caption: Dave Blanden and Hadleigh Nursing Home’s cake and right, Eszter Kosztolanczi with Buckingham Lodge’s winning entry.