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Chefs at a leading hotel in the kingdom set a record for whipping up the longest-ever Yule Log cake masterpiece in the Middle East.
The 12 pastry chefs at Elite Resort & Spa in Muharraq, spent one week preparing and laboured for over 10 hours to whip up more than 40 metres of the home-made goodness the night before it was unveiled on Christmas Day during the hotel’s festive party.
More than 200 guests made their way to the hotel to look at the dessert shaped as a Christmas tree. They decorated the cake and took home large pieces of the leftovers to share with family and friends.
Executive chef Mohamad Sultan, 42, from Hoora, said: “The cake weighed over 250kg and was stretched over 25 tables. Elite is very proud to try and attempt such a record-breaking success.
“I was leading the group making this Yule log. It was very tiring but was worth it in the end. It took us one week of preparation and we finally put the tables down and started piecing it all together at 7pm the night before the unveiling. With no sleep at all, we finished at 5.30am the next day and then I had to go straight to making the wonderful Christmas buffet that is on offer for our guests. I was very tired but excited at the same time and I’m glad it all turned out great.
“There were 12 chefs working on the cake, including myself, and we made it Christmassy and decorated it as well. We all worked very hard to produce a tasty, good-looking Christmas cake.”
Chef Sultan has been working with Elite Resort & Spa for over eight years and had gained several years of experience prior to coming to the kingdom from his home in Hyderabad, India. He enjoys Bahrain and hopes to make exciting new, record-breaking cakes and meals.
Chef Sultan added: “The chefs used 1,200 eggs, 70kg sugar, 30kg flour, three litres vanilla essence, 40kg choco cream made with 8kg couverture chocolate, 10kg pure dairy butter, 26kg fondant sugar, 18kg icing sugar and 4kg of other ingredients.”
But that wasn’t the end of the entertainment the hotel had whisked up. Children had a separate play area, which featured a bouncy castle, face painting and their own buffet, before watching the dramatic and elaborate entrance of Santa and his little helpers.
Elves came down the side of the 15-storey glass exterior supported by harnesses as they waved down to the children. Not long after, a massive crane lowered a cheerful Santa who was ready to meet and greet the children. The picturesque setting was accompanied by the Elite choir singing ‘Santa Claus is coming to town!’ in the background.
Jordana Al Busharat, 14, was one of the many watching Santa bellow from above in amazement. Jordana from A’ali, said: “After seeing Santa come and visit us like that, I wonder what will be next. The cake alone is amazing. I don’t even want to eat or touch the log because it’s just a work of art.”
And there were many others who were thrilled with the event. Margarita Tsvetkova, 10, from Saar, said: “The cake is amazing and I am excited because I can decorate it myself. I’m having so much fun. It’s been a great Christmas.”
Maya Al Bakry, 10, from Saar, said: “The Yule log is huge and very Christmassy. It’s been a fun day with the elves coming down the side of the building and Santa surprising us from the sky.”
Lena Rifaii, 9, from Riffa, said: “The cake is nice but the bouncy castle is the most fun. I’ve been on it with my two sisters all day. I love Christmas time, everyone is so happy and having fun.”
