Kolkata, 10th December 2025: Ushering in the joy and warmth of the Christmas season, Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management (GNIHM), a JIS Group Educational Initiative, organised its annual Traditional Cake Mixing Ceremony, “Merry Mixing,” at its campus with great enthusiasm and festive fervour.
This year’s celebration became even more vibrant with the hosting of the Annual Cake Decoration Competition, one of GNIHM’s most eagerly awaited student events. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from budding chefs, who showcased remarkable creativity, technical excellence, and innovation through their intricate cake designs. The contest served as a strong platform for students to demonstrate their culinary artistry in a highly competitive environment.
The colourful day-long celebration was graced by esteemed dignitaries including Arjuna Awardees Mrs. Santi Mullick and Mr. Debashish Biswas; Prof. (Dr.) Pralay Ganguly, Principal, GNIHM; Mrs. Indrani Sanyal, HoD, Housekeeping Department, Woodlands Hospital; the Principal of Khalsa Model School; the Principal of St. Augustine’s Day School along with members of the senior management of GNIHM,several chefs and culinary artists, prominent food vloggers, and distinguished personalities from the hospitality industry. Their presence added immense value to the occasion, inspiring and motivating students to pursue excellence in their craft.
Following the competition, the campus came alive with festive cheer as the Traditional Merry Mixing Ceremony commenced. Students, faculty members, and staff came together to participate in the ceremonial mixing of a rich assortment of dry fruits — almonds, raisins, orange and lemon peels, dates, dried apricots, figs, walnuts, cashews, pistachios — blended with spirits to mature over the coming weeks, forming the perfect base for traditional Christmas plum cakes.
The ceremony beautifully blended tradition with experiential learning, offering students hands-on exposure to the cultural significance and technical nuances of festive baking. The event also reflected GNIHM’s commitment to academic excellence, practical exposure, and industry integration, reinforcing its status as one of India’s leading hospitality education institutes.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, JIS Group, said, “At GNIHM, we believe in holistic learning that extends beyond textbooks. Events like ‘Merry Mixing’ help our students connect with culinary traditions, sharpen their practical skills and appreciate the cultural roots of festive cuisine, all while celebrating the spirit of togetherness.”
