Celebrating International Chefs Day

International Chefs Day is a time to honour the creativity, passion and skill that go into the culinary world. Originally created by the late Chef Dr. Bill Gallagher, this special day recognises the dedication of chefs everywhere while inspiring the next generation to explore and enjoy the art of cooking.

This year’s theme, “Food Explorers” encourages children and young people to discover the wonders of food through curiosity, creativity and hands-on fun. At Carden Park, we believe that food is not only nourishment but also a form of art — a chance to express yourself and create something beautiful, colourful and delicious. There’s no limit to what you can create in the kitchen.

As we approach the festive season, Carden Park’s Executive Head Chef Harri Williams has put together a wonderful gingerbread recipe that you can easily make at home. It’s a great way to explore baking while decorating your creations with your own artistic flair.

The Ingredients

• 225g Butter
• 100g Caster Sugar
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 2 tsp Ground Ginger
• ½ tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
• 1 Egg
• 275g Flour
• Decor of your choice: food colouring pens, icing, sweets for buttons — get creative depending on your chosen shapes!

The Method

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
2. Add the egg, then mix in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and spices until a dough forms.
3. Wrap the dough in cling film and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough as thinly as possible and cut into your favourite festive shapes.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 8–10 minutes.
6. Allow to cool on a wire rack before decorating with your chosen toppings and colours.

Our culinary team is the heart of Carden Park Hotel, and our food outlets are among the biggest attractions for guests. From our luxurious Afternoon Tea to our 3 AA Rosette Award-Winning Restaurant, dining at Carden Park is a celebration of flavour and local produce.

We are proud to nurture the chefs of the future through our apprenticeship programmes and work experience opportunities. Our talented chef brigade plays an essential role in making our hotel one of the most popular destinations for food lovers and families alike.

So this International Chef Day, gather the family, roll up your sleeves and become food explorers together — because every great chef starts with curiosity and a sprinkle of fun!