May 2021
Technology and memories: the perfect recipe for National Baking Day
Residents at Chilterns Court Care Centre in Henley-on-Thames turned to the home’s iPads to join an online virtual baking workshop to celebrate National Baking Day on 17 May.
Workshop participants voted for the flavour of cakes they wanted to bake, and although it was a close call, the lemon meringue option beat the other contenders by a whisker.
The winning vote was cast by a 101-year-old resident who said the lemon meringue flavour reminded her of the very same dessert she and her husband enjoyed at their wedding over 70 years ago.
The step-by-step virtual workshop was delivered by local baker, Angie, who provided a list of the ingredients and equipment required to make the sweet treats, and residents used the home’s iPads to login to the online meeting and followed Angie’s instructions for the bake.
Keeping a safe distance in their social bubbles, residents made use of the home’s spacious café area to follow the workshop, and soon filled the home with the delicious scent of baking.
Two of the male participants enjoyed reminiscing about times spent cooking when they had children growing up, and shared memories of their culinary successes – and missteps - along the way. One participant enjoyed the sessions so much that he requested the next session should be a workshop on how to make tiramisu.
Activities Coordinator Candy Trevethan said: “It was great to see residents enjoy something a bit different like this online workshop and embrace the technology. We also loved the fact that the cakes had such a strong meaning to one of our residents and we hope it reminded her of her special day many years ago.”
The lemon meringue cakes were enjoyed by everyone at the home. Candy added: “It was a lovely way to celebrate National Baking Day.”