The Grand Holiday Season Begins...at Grand Hyatt Manila.

Once the "ber" months arrive, you know the holidays are just around the corner...

And that means fruit cakes. Grand Hyatt Manila kicks off the holiday season with "Something Sparkling, Something Grand" for all its guests this Christmas beginning with the traditional cake-mixing ceremony last September 14, 2019 at The Apartment. This year, guests at the Grand Hyatt Manila can look forward to whimsical Gingerbread Houses, Christmas Cookies, Chocolate Santas and lavish Christmas Hampers loaded with indulgent treats in that signature grand style that can only come from Grand Hyatt Manila. And yes, you can have the traditional Christmas Fruit Cakes too...

It's amazing how time flies, it seemed like only yesterday when I attended last year's cake-mixing preview (for more on last year's event, see my post, #LivingGrand: A Christmas Cake-Mixing Preview and a Sumptuous Buffet Lunch at The Grand Kitchen of Grand Hyatt Manila). This year, that tradition is once again renewed...

...at The Apartment of Grand Hyatt Manila. Now on its second year, Grand Hyatt Manila starts its own holiday tradition to announce the arrival of the holidays. Tracings its roots back to 17th century Europe, the traditional Christmas cake-mixing ceremony is believed to bring good tidings and happiness throughout the holiday season as well as an opportunity to make one's wishes and intentions for the coming New Year. The tradition also marks the beginning of the harvest season when fruits and nuts were gathered before winter, collected and transformed into the much-loved and enduring Christmas fruit cakes. But beyond the preparation of fruit cakes, the cake-mixing tradition was a key social gathering strengthening bonds among family and friends.

At The Apartment of Grand Hyatt Manila, the comforting aroma of fruits and nuts soaked in rum fill the air to officially start the holiday season. In a country that celebrates the coming holidays a full four months in advance for the longest Christmas celebration in the world, Grand Hyatt Manila leads the pack in jumpstarting the yuletide season. And Grand Hyatt Manila's Pastry Chef, Saban Cavlak, starts the holidays with the traditional cake-mixing ceremony...

Grand Hyatt Manila's Pastry Chef, Saban Cavlak, shared the grand centuries-old tradition of the holiday cake-mixing ceremony at the exclusive preview with his fun and cheerful style to the delight of the guests. There's a whole lot of good vibes that day at The Apartment...

At the spacious open kitchen of The Apartment, the lingering aroma from a wooden board loaded with the bountiful harvest of fruits, sweets and nuts for the cake-mixing ceremony reminded guests that the holidays have begun right here at the Grand Hyatt Manila.

Pastry Chef Saban Cavlak and his team prepped the fruits and nuts...

...as kids joined in for the festive cake-mixing ritual. With each gentle fold, the fruits and nuts immersed in rum released a fragrant bouquet of sweet notes filling the elegant space with a cheerful holiday vibe. According to tradition, this is the time when you make your wishes. Pastry Chef Saban Cavlak then prepared the dough for the fruit cake, filling up countless pans before heading for the ovens.  

As the fruit cakes baked in the ovens, Pastry Chef Saban Cavlak led the kids for the Gingerbread House decorating activity...

...with everything you need neatly laid on the table.

Pastry Chef Saban Cavlak then demonstrated how to decorate the gingerbread houses...

...as the kids eagerly watched in anticipation. It was now their turn...

...and the kids just beamed with excitement. After all, how cool is decorating your very own Gingerbread House? 

More than just a decorating activity, the whole experience seemed to bring families together in a fun and leisurely afternoon at the Grand Hyatt Manila that day. That's what the holiday season is all about here at the Grand Hyatt Manila.

Feeling a sudden creative urge from the holiday vibe, I worked on my own Gingerbread House. Not bad, right?

This holiday season, go grand with Grand Hyatt Manila's seasonal hampers with an assortment of decadent treats... 

...including the indulgent confections from Cartwright & Butler. The enduring brand from the UK, known for their nostalgic cakes, biscuits and teatime treats adds an elegant layer of tradition to the season. And you can only find Cartwright & Butler's decadent creations at Grand Hyatt Manila.

From indulgent chocolates to exquisite biscuits, loose-leaf teas and shortbreads and their popular Strawberries & Cream Pips, Aniseed Humbugs and Pattern Fruit Sweets, Cartwright & Butler's elegant tins and hampers make the holidays even more festive with their exclusive collection.

Decorating a gingerbread house can be tedious, working up an appetite. The kitchen at The Apartments indulge your cravings with crisp deep-fried Spring Rolls...

...and Vegetarian Spring Rolls served with a sweet and spicy chili dip...

...paired with a bowl of Beef and Chicken Noodle Soup, each one prepared a la minute so you get a fresh and steaming hot bowl at its flavorful peak.

Grey skies hovered over Bonifacio Global City that day, making a bowl of noodles so much more comforting. 

A sumptuous bowl of noodles warms up both the palate and body, and the perfect way to end a day of cake-mixing and gingerbread house decorating at the Grand Hyatt Manila.

Fresh from the oven, the fruit cakes prepared earlier were presented to guests. The holidays have officially started, right here at Grand Hyatt Manila. There's so much more to expect from Grand Hyatt Manila this holiday season, and guests can look forward to a grand Christmas.

"We are looking forward to presenting to our guests what we have in store for them for the holidays. We have so many choices for them to celebrate with their families and friends in our restaurants, we have our beautiful rooms, gifts from Illume Spa, and of course our holiday treats which will be offered soon at Florentine. We can tell our guests that we are prepared to make sure that their celebration will be memorable. All they have to do is enjoy, and we will take care of the rest," shared Area Vice-President and General Manager Gottfried Bogensperger.

This year, guests of Grand Hyatt Manila can expect an even grander celebration for the season. From memorable staycations, sparkling celebrations, a lavish array of gift choices for loved ones and corporate giveaways, Grand Hyatt Manila is ready for the holiday season with that signature grand touch. Go grand this holiday season...at Grand Hyatt Manila.

Grand Hyatt Manila is located at 8th Avenue corner 35th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City or call +632 838-1234 for inquiries.

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