Cake baking aint what it used to be
It is the official decline of baking. And quite possibly, the CWA.
There really is enough despair in the world already. This shocking
news has sent the Two Girls reeling.
The CWA is renowned for celebrating the domestic work and creative
skills of everyone’s Nan. What were they thinking suggesting a packet mix could
be considered a legitimate challenge?
At present, the phenomenon is restricted to the Queensland branch.
With Campbell Newman and the secession movement, it might be possible to keep
this virus contained. But what is even more alarming than the politics, is the CWA’s
defence, ‘but there is a talent to making packet cakes, it’s not as easy as it
sounds!’
Silence
Opening a packet, emptying the contents into a bowl with a couple of
eggs and a dash of milk then mixing is not a challenge. There is the issue
of getting it out of the oven before it forms a blackened crust but anyone who
feeds themselves can sort that out.
Now don’t get us wrong, packet cake mixes have a place in the world.
We have it on good authority that Betty Crocker does a mean Devil’s Food Cake
mix for example and we get that it’s a good standby when you’re time-poor.
But to suggest that you can demonstrate your cooking skills with a packet mix and
allow them in a bake-off, just goes against the grain. If the entrants were
really serious about entering a cake competition, they’d take the time to learn
how to cook.
To be fair, the Queensland Branch is trying to move with the times and be accessible - don't know how to bake? That's no barrier to joining the CWA to sell your....baked goods (?). In the interests of being solution-focused, how about the CWA of
Queensland do some succession planning and offer cake cooking classes; to the
new generation, and to those oldies
amongst us who never had the benefit of Home Economics or strong family ties.
We need to keep the skill of cake cooking alive! We’re happy to help anyone that wants to
learn! (gulp, when did the Other Girl whack that line in? asks the other Girl nervously?).
Fortunately, we have it on good authority that the Tasmanian Branch
was as shocked as we were about the news and don't intend making any policy
changes.
Phew!
The CWA’s Common Sense Cookery Book is the first cookbook Australian
youngsters are exposed to.
We need to know some values are sacred. We need to be able to
believe in something.
