I have been extremely busy in December, but I have not attended one Christmas party that I wasn’t catering for. Many of the business groups who get together each year just didn’t this year; everything crept up on us, and we were all just busy making hay while the sun shines.

I do hope that 2013 is a great year for all readers. I have a great feeling about it – forever the optimist – but there is something very exciting about a new year with new beginnings and time to reflect on the previous year. I just love opening the new diary and making plans for the future, getting organised … well, a little bit organised anyway!

So let’s talk about December; on 15 December we catered for our last evening Christmas party for the year and just quietly, as much as I love my work, I was a just a tad relieved that it is all over for another year. I am a wee bit tired, feeling my age and looking forward to a relaxing drink. Mind you, the last party was a lot of fun, with Wingham Beef booking the backyard for 54 people, a great deal of beef, and a large karaoke machine. Let’s just say there were no Wingham idols amongst them, no James Johnstons, but they enjoyed a great night with singing and dancing under the fairy lights.

Lauders Real Estate and Wingham Brush P and C enjoyed their Christmas parties on Friday night 14 December. As usual, the P and C committee had some hilarious awards to give out, specifically picked for each recipient … oops, I forgot to grab my Ita Butrose biography from the table! It must have gone to a more worthy recipient.

On 8 December, we catered for a special event in the backyard. It was Marcia Fowler’s 60th birthday, celebrated with canapés for 85 people. It was a fabulous event, with great music played by local musician Warren Targett, who got everyone up dancing – even in the rain! Marcia is well loved by many, and it was evident from the lovely speeches and personal gifts she received. Happy birthday, Marcia, and thanks for choosing Bent on Food as your venue. Thanks also to Cathy and her team from Wingham and Taree West Newsagency, who were very happy to assist when any of Marcia’s partygoers were looking for a soft drink or a coffee, as they had their Christmas party inside at the same time.

Wingham Chamber of Commerce Christmas Carnival was a great success; held on Thursday 13 December, the carnival attracted around 1,800 people, with a visit from Santa and Hooker Bear, along with many Police, who were wonderful at keeping the crowd in line. The bed races were sponsored and conducted by the Mayo Hospital, the carnival rides were enjoyed by many, and it was one of the Chamber’s most successful carnivals yet. All of the usual charities attended, with local sporting and community groups raising funds and growing awareness for their particular charities.

Once again I was privileged to be involved in celebrating Abilities Day on 3 December, held at the Sports Stadium in Taree. I get to be the chief judge of the cooking competition, and I really enjoy this role. This year saw record numbers in the cooking competition, and I was very proud of the entries, which have improved each year. I was fortunate to have plenty of help from Nate, his dad Roger, and Cnr Kathryn Bell, along with Chris, who were all amazing and ate as much cake as I did.

I was honoured to receive a surprise award, as I was given the 2012 Legends Award for my contribution to the competition; it brought a tear to my eye when they announced it. Thanks so much to Richard Wheatley and the organisers for inviting me to be a part of this event. I always stay for the concert, as it is a wonderful celebration and this year was no different, with singing and dancing, stories and instruments. I thoroughly enjoyed my morning, and I love seeing the smiles when we announce the winners of the cookery competitions; there certainly are a few budding chefs amongst the competitors.

Wingham Akoostik Carnival Committee held a debrief and thanks to volunteers at Bent on Food on November 29. Around 35 people attended for drinks and canapés, with some fabulous ideas circulating for next year’s festival. As I said, 2013 is going to be a fantastic year!

Congratulations to Honeycomb Valley Farmstay at Nabiac, who joined Bent on Food in being awarded a bronze at the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards. They are passionate about sustainability and offer tourists a lovely haven complete with a bee motel and a farmgate shop.

Elaine Wiggins is one of the lovely yoga ladies who visits Bent on Food each week; she doesn’t look a day over 60, all that yoga, I suspect, but she was actually celebrating her 80th birthday with friends from her yoga group and one of our home made hummingbird cakes on the 28 November. Happy birthday, Elaine.

I take this opportunity to wish the readers of my column a safe and prosperous 2013.

I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties anything!

Send pics and info to donna.carrier@bigpond.com
Cheers, Donna.