The mooncake cooking demonstration presented by Lan Tiet was great fun, with 27 eager participants, including our President, Colin Carter. Lan first showed how to make baked mooncakes with two different types of filling. Then the group all joined in making balls of the filling, wrapping these in pastry and pressing them with a mould to create the beautiful shapes. While these were cooking, Lan demonstrated an uncooked version of mooncakes, rather like mochi.
There were also many different mooncake styles for sale during and after the session. See the Mooncake making demonstration photo gallery
Proceeds donated to charity
The $1130 raised from this event was donated to UNICEF to help children affected by the Nepal flash flood. Special thanks to Lan Tiet for this session.
About mooncakes
Mooncakes are traditional Chinese pastries enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration of the harvest, the full moon and family togetherness.
Usually round, like the full moon, mooncakes have a thin, tender pastry shell, often decorated with an intricate pattern or Chinese characters. Inside is a rich, sweet filling, commonly made from lotus seed paste, red bean paste or nuts. Some varieties contain one or more salted egg yolks, symbolising the full moon. There are also modern versions with flavours such as chocolate, fruit and custard.
Mooncakes are quite dense and sweet, so they are usually cut into small pieces and shared with family and friends, often with a cup of Chinese tea. Giving mooncakes as gifts is also a way of expressing good wishes and celebrating the importance of family and friendship.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional celebrations in Chinese culture. It usually takes place in September or October, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.
The festival is a time for family, friendship and giving thanks. Traditionally, families gather together, enjoy a meal and spend time outdoors admiring the full moon. The round shape of the moon represents togetherness and family unity.
The festival is also connected with the ancient Chinese legend of Chang’e, a woman who is said to have lived on the Moon. This story has helped make the Moon an important symbol of the festival.
For many people today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is simply a special opportunity to get together with loved ones, share food and appreciate the beauty of the full moon.
(Description from ChatGPT)