Kochi, 7th October 2024 – Crowne Plaza Kochi marked the official start of this year’s Christmas celebrations with a special cake mixing ceremony, creating a joyous and festive atmosphere. The event was made even more meaningful with the participation of children from the Ashwasa Bhavan orphanage in Mattancherry, bringing smiles and warmth to the holiday season. Renowned film artist Prayaga Martin graced the occasion as the chief guest, joining in the fun-filled celebration alongside the children.

“Christmas is all about spreading happiness and bringing people together, and this is exactly what we see in these smiling faces,” said Mr. Dinesh Rai, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Kochi about the ceremony, which was a demonstration of the true spirit of Christmas. The first batch of these cakes, once ready, will be given to the children of Ashwasa Bhavan, spreading even more joy and love during the festive season.

The event saw an extravagant display of approximately 2,500 kilograms of fruit mix, with 1,500 kilograms of dried fruits and nuts arranged in colorful patterns, including white and black raisins from Afghanistan, cloves, cardamom, ginger peel, and orange peel, all seasoned with exotic spices. The ingredients were then mixed with 300 liters of red wine and 75 liters of honey to prepare the base for the festive plum cakes. Director of Culinary – Chef Kalesh explained the process in detail to the attendees, sharing that the mixture will be allowed to ferment for 60 days before being added to the cake dough in December.

“This year, we aim to bake 10,000 rich plum cakes using the ingredients mixed today, and we’ve already started accepting pre-orders,” said Mr. Tittu Koikkaran, Director of Sales & Marketing at Crowne Plaza Kochi.

The children from Ashwasa Bhavan were at the heart of the celebration, fully immersed in the festive spirit, experiencing the joy and excitement of the holiday season. The event, followed by a delightful high tea, attracted a diverse audience, including celebrities, influencers, corporate partners, hotel patrons, and in-house guests. Together, they supported this meaningful initiative, embodying the essence of compassion and celebration.