To mark 70 years of Meals on Wheels NSW, the much-loved meal delivery service has partnered with pastry chef Christopher Thé of Hearthe Cafe (the creator of Black Star Pastry’s Instagram-famous Strawberry Watermelon Cake!) and leading nutrition and brain experts to create a cake that is the perfect combination of flavour, texture and brain-boosting nutrition. The Unforgettable Cake incorporates a myriad of ingredients that have been proven to improve brain health, such as blueberries and turmeric, alongside Australian native ingredients, such as strawberry gum and muntries (AKA native cranberries). Dr. Johannes le Coutre, a professor of food and nutrition at UNSW was one of the leading experts who conceptualised this cake. He said: “When I was first approached about this project, I was intrigued by the challenge of creating a cake, which may be beneficial to cognition, using ingredients from different food groups, while also providing an experience for Meals on Wheels customers.”

“Along with Meals on Wheels and a team of specialists, we had to consider both ingredients and texture, including how to minimise sugar, and provide a texture suitable for individuals who suffer from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), which is a concern for some older Australians.” This cake has not only been created to celebrate 70 years of Meals on Wheels NSW, but also to start a conversation surrounding the serious issue of cognitive decline, which is apparent among many of Meals on Wheels’ NSW clients and their families.