The festive season in Kolkata kicked off in grand style as Calcutta Times joined forces with The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat for their much-anticipated Annual Cake-Mixing Ceremony on Sunday. The picturesque poolside venue transformed into a winter wonderland, setting the stage for an afternoon filled with tradition, sweetness, and community spirit.
A Celebration of Tradition and Togetherness
Guests arrived dressed in elegant 'red with a dash of silver' attire, perfectly complementing the crisp winter weather. The event buzzed with energy as attendees engaged in a fun foodie quiz and enjoyed classic Kolkata adda sessions by the pool.
The undisputed showstopper of the evening was a spectacular 100-ft dessert table laden with Christmas treats that captivated every guest. From traditional Indian sweets to international delicacies, the spread was nothing short of extraordinary.
Voices from the Celebration
Joydeep Das, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Westin Kolkata, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: "We believe in celebrating traditions that bring people together, and our annual cake-mixing ceremony, in partnership with Calcutta Times, added an extra layer of joy and vibrancy to the festivities."
Manisha Sharma, General Manager of the hotel, shared her perspective: "As we step into the festive season, our team had the pleasure of hosting The Westin Kolkata's annual cake-mixing ceremony in partnership with Calcutta Times. The gathering once again brought our community together in heartfelt warmth and joy, marking the perfect start to the holiday celebrations."
Star-Studded Guest List and Culinary Delights
The event saw participation from prominent personalities across various fields. Notable attendees included:
- Solanki Roy, Idhika Paul, and Sohini Sarkar from the entertainment industry
- Daniele Panfilo, Deputy Consul at the Consulate of Italy in Kolkata
- Marc Boudin, Director of Alliance Française du Bengale
- Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner for East and North-East India
- Arvind Sukhani, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Kolkata
Executive Chef Amit Kumar hosted an engaging blind tasting session for guests, who savored an impressive array of delicacies including:
- Chocolate Barfi and Éclairs
- Cheese & Prune Samosa and Gujar Halwa
- Baklava and Nolen Gur Cheesecake
- Masala Chai Tiramisu and Sondesh
- Baklava Rolls, Cupcakes, and macarons
- Stollen and raisin tarts
Christmas Spirit and Personal Traditions
Celebrities and dignitaries shared their personal Christmas memories and traditions, adding a heartfelt touch to the celebrations.
Idhika Paul remarked: "Christmas for me is family time, togetherness, and indulging in desserts. The joy of baking a cake with my friends and cousins is very special."
Riccardo Dalla Costa, Consul General of Italy in Kolkata, reflected: "The true essence of Christmas is being with family. It's a celebration of closeness and gratitude. It's a reminder that we're never alone on this journey."
Dr Andrew Fleming noted: "This is my second cake-mixing with Calcutta Times and it's always a joyful occasion, giving me a chance to meet lots of friends."
Sohini Sarkar shared her ritual: "This is the merriest time of the year. My mandatory Christmas ritual is to bake a fruit cake, and I am looking forward to making it for my loved ones this year as well."
Solanki Roy expressed her love for Kolkata traditions: "Christmas is all about good food and Park Street. One ritual that I follow every year is indulging in fruit cake from Nahoum's. Festive season doesn't start without it."
Pratim D Gupta added a nostalgic note: "I love being in Kolkata during this time of the year. Even today, I keep a sock under my pillow – my own little Christmas moja. Even if the myths fade as we grow older, I continue to cherish the magic of the festival."
The event successfully blended traditional cake-mixing rituals with contemporary celebrations, creating unforgettable memories for all attendees and officially welcoming the holiday season to the City of Joy.
