Lindsey Wilson estimates she will have cooked over 50 Christmas cakes, 100 sweet mince pies and 400 rum balls by 25 December.
As Head Chef at Chauvel’s Restaurant at TriCare Compton Gardens Retirement Community, Mrs Wilson is responsible for the restaurant’s daily morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea menu, and a special carvery night every Tuesday evening.
Mrs Wilson says she loves this time of year where she is busy planning and preparing with her kitchen team, for the many parties and events in the lead up to Christmas.
“Being such a large village, many residents hold neighbourhood parties which we cater for, in addition to the Village’s major Christmas party attended by 200 people and lunch on Christmas day.
It’s such a lovely community where everybody gets into the festive spirit, and I just like making them happy with plenty of delicious Christmas food!” said Mrs Wilson.
At the crack of dawn every Friday in December, you will find Mrs Wilson and her team in the kitchen mixing, rolling, cutting and baking.
Residents put in orders for Christmas cakes, mince pies, rum balls, apricot balls and gingerbread men to take home or giveaway as gifts.
She is currently putting the finishing touches to the Village’s Christmas day menu as Chauvel’s will be open to residents and their families for lunch.
“I am thinking of a prawn cocktail starter, traditional roast turkey, pork and ham, homemade stuffing and roast vegetables and fresh greens, all finished off with plum pudding or pavlova,” said Mrs Wilson.
At 2pm on Christmas day, Mrs Wilson heads home to cook Christmas dinner for her family which is usually a more relaxed affair. And she always takes Boxing Day off!
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