Taj Exotica, Goa kickstarts festive season with cake-mixing ceremony
December 16, 2005

The Taj Exotica, Goa, officially began its festive season with the annual plumcake-mixing ceremony today evening. Held in the spacious lobby atrium, the event was an occasion for much merriment and joyous participation by both guests and staff.

Organised by executive chef Gary Palm and F&B manager Vincent Ramos and their teams, the cake-mixing event has been an annual feature for the last six years now. Huge quantities of aromatic spices, fruit, raisins and selected beverages, including rum, wine and brandy were heaped onto a specially-designed table around which the guests and staff gathered. Chef Palm gave a brief spiel on the origins of the ceremony and declared the festivities open. Wearing gloves, the guests dug into the mix, tossing, turning, blending; this mix will now be stored for a year before being used for next season’s rich plum cakes.

Goa’s famed musical serenaders, Emiliano and His Trio, set the mood with a selection of popular Christmas carols. Hotel staff joined them in the sing-along, which had Santa and quite a few guests jitterbugging on the dance floor, in an impromptu celebration, as snacks, cocktails and other beverages were circulated. Every person present wore a santa hat, and the first Christmas tree of the season was also set up in the corner, enhancing the atmosphere.

The Taj Exotica, Goa, will continue its season-long celebration with other events, including putting up a gingerbread house in the lobby, carol-singers, a yuletide party, the traditional Christmas eve party, Christmas bash, champagne lunch, Boxing Day get-together, and the grand finale — the New Year’s Eve party.