Every nation is truly put to the test in extraordinary times, the Government Spokesperson stressed at a press conference held on Tuesday in Budapest ahead of the 20 August national holiday.
Alexandra Szentkirályi added that during the coronavirus epidemic “we Hungarians proved that we are able to combine forces, to draw strength from the perseverance of others and to give strength to those who most need it at any time”.
At the beginning of the year, no one would have thought that 2020 would be different, that for reasons entirely beyond our control we would be able to spend less time with our loved ones and our friends, and the working conditions of many would change. However, the uncertain, and at times inconvenient circumstances have also brought about positive changes, the Government Spokesperson said.
The importance of the physical work of our ancestors with which they built the country has likewise been underlined, and we now better appreciate how much the poorer we would be without those who bake cakes and bread, Ms. Szentkirályi pointed out.
At the press conference held in the Parliament Building, she recalled that this year, due to the coronavirus epidemic, most of the 20 August celebrations have been cancelled. Notwithstanding this, whilst on holiday in Hungary it is well worth visiting the bakeries and cake shops which will stock the recently presented cakes of the country, the St. Stephen’s Day bread and 2020’s most innovative bread.
President of the Hungarian Bakers’ Association József Septe recalled that due to the coronavirus, it was uncertain for a long time whether they would be able to organise the traditional bread competition, and whether they would be able to present the award-winning products.
The President of the Hungarian Bakers’ Association highlighted that Hungarian bakers stood their ground very well during the epidemic as well as in the industry competition organised by the Association. He said, in the two-round competition announced on 27 May, members of the jury had a difficult job. They had to select qualifiers for the second round from among almost fifty products. In the final, they tasted 15 breads, seven of which were entered for the St. Stephen’s Day bread category, while eight for the category of 2020’s most innovative bread.
This year’s St. Stephen’s Day bread is a home-made bread from Hajdúság, while the title of ‘Most Innovative Bread of 2020’ has been awarded to a rosemary-potato bread.
Co-President of the Guild of Hungarian Confectioners László Selmeczi announced that the winner of the ‘Cake of Hungary’ competition held for the 14th time is a cake called ‘Curiositas’ made by Krisztián Füredi from the Tápiószecső ‘Hisztéria’ Cake Shop. The main ingredients of the cake are hazelnuts, almonds, chocolate and quince.
Chair of the jury for ‘Sugar-free Cake of Hungary’ László Nándori said in the competition organised with the involvement of the ‘A Drop of Attention Foundation’ this year the number one prize goes to a cake called ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
The cake made by the team of the Pilisszentiván JÓkenyér Cake Shop under the supervision of master confectioner Andrea Dienes contains no added sugar; its primary flavours come from sour cherry jam made with cinnamon and a light sour cherry mousse which are complemented with a creamy custard with oat flakes. The cake is covered with sugar-free white chocolate. According to the calculations of the Hungarian Dietetic Association, the ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ cake contains 13.3 grams of carbohydrates and 252.5 calories per slice.
Cake shops around the country will start selling the two awarded cakes from 19 August.
Mr Nándori also said this year the ‘A Drop of Attention Foundation’ awarded two special prizes; one for the cake with the best medicinal ingredients and another for the most innovative sugar-free cake.
The ‘Little Hazelnut’ containing rowan berries – a product of the Szeged ‘Virág’ Cake Shop – was awarded the title of cake with the best medicinal ingredients, while the special prize of most innovative sugar-free cake went to a cake called ‘Pistachio’ made by a Monor cake shop called ‘Ami Süti’.