WGSHA students get ready for Christmas cake with mixing of fruits

MANIPAL: With winter nip building up in the run-up to Christmas, it is that time of the year when mixing up dry fruits for a mouth-watering Christmas cake, that is traditionally a joyous occasion, in full swing. Weeks before it is baked, dry fruits are soaked in rum and brandy.
On Tuesday, students of Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA) of Manipal University took that first step at Chaya hall of Fortune Inn Valley View to mix dry fruits and set it aside for three weeks after which the other ingredients are mixed and cake baked just before Christmas.
"It is a student activity of the institution held annually at this time of the year," said Parvadha Vardhini Gopalakrishnan, principal, WGSHA. "The students get to know how Christmas cake used to be made traditionally. To transport one to the yuletide spirit, there was a beautifully-decorated Christmas tree, soft music and ginger bread houses made by students.
Vice Chancellor of Manipal University Dr K Ramnarayan and other officials were present to do the initial stirring up of the dry fruits with rum and brandy. Associate Professor Vasanthan Sigamany said "The dry fruits on display ranged from sugar, spice and everything nice - figs, apricot, prunes, and dates to candied orange rind, candied ginger, cherries, and tutti-frutti followed by mixed spices like cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. The fruits are soaked in rum and brandy to give the cake a rich flavor."