I was posted to the Battalion at the end of October, prior to the deployment to "Suntan city!" (or Sierra Leone as the maps refer to it!) and before I knew it, Christmas was once again appearing around the corner. It didn't seem that long since everyone was taking part in the Millenium celebrations!
In festive spirit it was decided that the Catering Platoon rear party were to produce and decorate Christmas cakes that would be entered into a competition. The cakes were then to be donated to local charities to raise funds. The competition was to take place on the 8th December, so the clock had started its countdown. The cakes were produced collectively, but it was now up to the chefs to get their brains ticking to come up with some creative ideas for their cake to come out on top!!!
Twelve chefs took part in the competition (including Mr Pike- known as Spike from Sodhexo Services). The military chefs involved were Cpls Mark Walker, Diane Lee, LCpls Richard Sharp, Laura Reid, Glen Wonfor and Aaron Withers and Ptes "Bomber" Lancaster, Peter Webster, Louise Hardingham and Jenny Lockhart. All put a lot of effort and time into designing and creating their masterpieces, working long hours to get them completed.
At last all were finished and ready for "judgment day". The cakes were judged by a panel that consisted of: Mrs Hill, Major Bruce, Captain Melbourne, Captain Burton and Mr Tim Hunt, the Sodhexo Services Regional Operations Director. The judging was split into 2 categories, category 1 being for Private soldiers, and category 2 being for JNCO's and civilians. The cakes were judged on originality, technical ability and novelty. The judges did not find it an easy task to come to a decision on the winner, and after all the points were calculated there was a "tie" for category 1- the judges retired to put their heads together and knuckled down to finally decide on the lucky winners!!
Winner for Category 1 was Pte Jenny Lockhart, with a cake design of mice in bed with sheets flowing over the cake; Category 2 winner was Cpl Mark Walker, with a design using skill and originality of a decorated Christmas tree made of icing sitting atop the cake. Major Bruce and Mr T Hunt awarded prizes and certificates to the well-deserved winners.
Afterwards all cakes were donated to local charities, including the wives club, to raise money for the children's Christmas party, the Countess of Chester Childrens' Ward, Backford Church Pinetum Nursing Home and Claire House at Clatterbridge. Pte Louise Hardingham, whose cake was in the tie-breaker, personally presented her cake to 4 year old Michaela, one of the patients at Claire House.
Without doubt, there were no losers in this competition, all were winners, having gained experience from the competition, especially those for whom designing and decorating a cake was a whole new experience.
As a final note, it would be amiss of me to forget the Sierra Leone chefs under the direction of SSgt Bayliss - a huge pat on the back must be given to those individuals, as they worked extremely well and hard in the arduous conditions with the limited resources available. The reports I received on the standard of food served in the I PWO restaurant were "second to none." Thank you and well done!