In my opinion I have to say there is nothing better and more relaxing than cooking. We all have to eat, so there is a good reason to back that one up! But what could be better than mass cooking. Sounds crazy I know. Picture this. A large local hall, fabulous lighting, Christmas stalls. Round tables full of ingredients from plump bright lemons, vibrant oranges and odd shaped apples. Mixed spice, snow like breadcrumbs, juicy dried fruit steeped in fragrant deep rum and fabulous bright Christmas red pudding bowls.

I had an idea that I wanted to cook in mass after my successful pudding club last year in my kitchen. So I put an amazing amount of work and dedication into making this work, and do you know what, it really did!! On the day I was so emotional just about the whole event. I chose to raise funds for a local charity, Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

A nice pair……………..

James and the children came to initially help set up. Moving the tables, bringing into the hall all of the food and boxes. So many bags. , sprinkle the tables and arrange the raffle prizes. I was ready for mass cooking. Then arrived Sue and Charmaine my Christmas angels who then sprinkled the tables and helped to arrange all of the pudding ingredients and raffle prizes. 

My ladies all arrived around 8pm embracing there mixing bowls, wooden spoons and most favourite apron. As each lady arrived they seemed excited to be at such a different event. There were keen cooks who attended and novice cooks too. But none of that mattered. For me it was a whole new learning experience. I wanted the ladies to mix and learn from each other. Make new friendships.

I used a microphone and we began. I have to admit I was nervous. I was so determined for all to go well and inside I felt like jelly, I just really wanted to cry with happiness.

We begun by steeping our fruit in my chosen alcohol ‘Rum’. All I can say is yum to rum. I chose rum as a pose to brandy really due to the cost. But I have to say I love rum and think that it works incredibly well. Whilst the fruit was steeping it was time to visit the bar, indulge in home made nibbles (by my beautiful mum) and visit the most beautiful Christmas stalls. There was a fabulous raffle too with the most generous of prizes from flowers, to vouchers and a photography shoot from Aki from Imago Images.

To try and allow the fruit to steep for as long as possible is difficult in a cookery class situation. Equipment was limited but that just makes each table work as a team. There was no rush, no time limit and no brownie points for who’s pud was the best. Nobody would be crowned a champion or best baker and there was definitely no elimination. It was all about working and cooking together. The recipe had to be relatively simple in order for the evening to go smoothly. I had already tested my recipe and adjusted it about 10 times since January. We have eaten so many puddings but I bought my new ones along that I had made two weeks ago. I heated them and offered them for tasting. Thumbs up I was told which is great news.

Then all the remaining ingredients were combined together and mixed with the steeped fruit. As I walked around the tables and chatted with the ladies, it was wonderful. There was some suet in one ladies hair, lots of naked lemons stripped of their skin, half oranges squished, sugar everywhere, rum being drunk from the bottle (I was watching you) and so much chatter and laughter. It was just amazing.

I was overwhelmed completely with the evening. The kindness for all. Charmaine and Sue were an absolute godsend. They were both little Christmas fairies working their magic through the evening. Thank you so much.

Then it came to the raffle, it felt like a round of bingo. Great fun. By this point I was starting to relax and really enjoy myself. Then it came to the masterclass. OK, well not quite but I just really wanted to have a bit of The Bake Off feel. So I pushed a table out and I stood behind it armed with  parchment, foil and string.

‘Right ladies lets prepare the pleating of the puds, come close so you can all see’. I loved this bit. I simply showed my ladies how to pleat the parchment, foil and string round. I’m sure there were many ladies that had used this method before, however I know there were many ladies present who had not, so I was keen for no one to stride off ahead. Remember team work and helping each other a key part to my evening.

White’s delicious delights………

Clearly on the Rum………….

Anita and Maria getting busy..

Charmaine my Christmas fairy…..

Kerry following instructions…..wow!!

Laughter between friends

Me and my fabulous and very special mum…x

Masterclass on pleating…………

Everyone then became busy with their pleating. All so proud of what had been achieved. For me that was it. To see everyone leaving the evening armed with their freshly made bright red pudding bowls beautiful presented and pleated was a perfect end to a very wonderful evening.

I have been asked to run a Christmas Pudding Club already in Bedford for next year and am running this one again on the 23rd NOVEMBER 2013. I am planning a Summer Pudding club too and maybe a mass making pasta demo!! Comments and feedback are welcome.

I just want to thank everyone who helped, supported and encouraged me on my first big event. All I ask is if you enjoyed my evening tell and share with friends, if not please tell me so I can
improve, change and adapt.

One more stir….

Pair of puds ready to be sealed…

Voluptuous lemons………

Lucy and Clare enrolling on a cookery class, thanks girls x

Tracy and the girls, very proud with their Christmas Puddings..

So many ideas for 2013.

Carmela x