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Chef Gilligan's King Cake

By
CHEF GILLIGAN,

Published Monday, January 4, 2010, 8:40 AM
Updated Monday, January 4, 2010, 9:01 AM

 

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King Cake

This Wednesday is the day of the Epiphany, commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in the United States. It celebrates the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus and also remembers his baptism, according to the Christian Bible’s events.

January 6, which is 12 days after Christmas in the Gregorian calendar, marks not only the end of the Christmas holidays but also the start of the Carnival season, which climaxes with Mardi Gras.

In some European countries, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, children dress as the three kings and visit houses. In their roles as the kings, or wise men, they sing about the Jesus’ birth and pay homage to the “king of kings”. They are rewarded with praise and cookies.

Dia de los Reyes Magos is the Latin American celebration of Epiphany. In many Latin American countries, it is the three wise men and not Santa Claus who bring gifts for children. Children write letters to the wise men telling them how good they were and what gifts they want. In France Le Jour des Rois (the Day of Kings), sometimes called the Fête des Rois, is celebrated with parties for children and adults. The gallete des rois, or “cake of kings”, highlights these celebrations. This cake is round and flat, cut into the pantry, covered with a white napkin and carried into a dining room.

Children in Spain fill their shoes with straw or grain for the three kings’ horses to eat and place them on balconies or by the front door on Epiphany Eve. The next day they find cookies, sweets or gifts in their place. The “three kings” make an entry in many cities in Spain on Epiphany Eve, accompanied by military bands and drummers in medieval dress.

In Ireland “Little Christmas” is also called Women's Christmas (Nollaig na mBan in Irish), and sometimes Women's Little Christmas. The tradition, still very strong in Cork is so called because of the Irish men taking on all the household duties for the day.

Most women hold parties or go out to celebrate the day with their friends, sisters, mothers, and aunts. Bars and restaurants serve mostly women and girls on this night. Children often buy presents for their mothers and grandmothers.

While originally a rural tradition, Women's Christmas is enjoying something of a revival, both in Ireland and abroad. It is becoming popular in the Irish-emigrant communities in Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and North America. For the Irish Women's Network of British Columbia, Canada, for example, this event is the highlight of the social calendar.

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2 Comments

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Posted by Sungold on Jan 07, 2010, 12:04 AM EST
My parents used to refer to January 6 as "Little Christmas" for the Epiphany, but I didn't know about it being a woman's holiday as well. Very interesting!
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Posted by mandokeith on Jan 04, 2010, 09:31 AM EST
Look good, Thanks Chef!
 


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