We all enjoy opportunities for a get together and celebration. In Chinese culture these include annual festivals such as Chinese New Year and the mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Weddings and significant birthdays are also great reasons to enjoy a milestone in people’s lives.

At these events food is essential. And it must be delicious!

One type of sweet cake is pressed into moulds before cooking. Chinese cake moulds vary widely in shape; flowers, animals, calligraphy. Not just visually appealing the shapes are gifts of timeless goodwill messages. For example, fish represents a wish for abundance throughout your life while lotus pods are a hope for children. Longevity characters embedded in peach shaped moulds emphasise a long life blessing. Double happiness characters wish happiness to newlyweds at their wedding.