From Kansas to England, People want Daddy Cakes
Many people think of "Fat Tuesday" as Mardi Gras time. It's the day before Lent - the same day is known as "Shrove Tuesday" which also happens to be "International Pancake Day". Why are we telling you this when you are in the throws of preparing for Christmas?
Well, the Officials of "PANCAKE DAY" & "The Pancake Hall of Fame" in Liberal, Kansas contacted us a few months back wanting Daddy Cakes® mixes for the baking contests and events to be held the four days leading up to the Grand Finale Race on February 16, 2010. For an event that has been going on for 500 years in England & 61 in the United States - We are incredibly honored!
This event reflects so much about what Daddy Cakes® is largely about.....bringing people together over great food and fun events. There's going to be contests for the best baked goods recipes created from our mixes and a race right through the middle of town with women flipping pancakes while running down Main Street.
Here's the back story:
In Olney, the Pancake Race tradition dates back more than 500 years to 1445. A woman engrossed in using up cooking fats (forbidden during Lent) was making pancakes. Hearing the church bells ring calling everyone to the shriving service, she grabbed her head scarf (required in church) and ran to the church, skillet and pancake in hand and still apron-clad. In following years, neighbors got into the act and it became a race to see who could reach the church first and collect a "Kiss of Peace" from the verger (bell-ringer.) The kiss is still the traditional prize in both races.
Racers must still wear a head scarf and apron and the runner must flip her pancake at the starting signal, and again after crossing the finish line, to prove she still has her pancake.
Winning scores have traded back and forth between the Olney, England and Liberal, Kansas. The record time was set in 2001 when three-time race winner Lisa Spillman of Liberal ran the 415-yard S-shaped course in 58.1 seconds.
One does have to wonder how they take something that can be completed in 58 seconds and stretch it out over 4 days?
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