Moyne’s Chef Michelle Shares Her Special Orange Cake Recipe

“I’ve basically been in hospitality since I left school” says Moyne Aged Care Centre (“Moyne”) Chef, Michelle. Whilst Michelle initially began her hospitality journey at the front of house, she “finally found her way into the kitchen.” 

Michelle has extensive culinary experience from bakeries to boutique cafes, right through to fine dining cooking. But it is the past five years of working at Moyne however, that Michelle reflects has been the real privilege in being able to, “provide the residents with a good, solid meal, knowing that they’re well-fed and they’re happy and content.”   

Michelle finds inspiration for her dishes not just from cookbooks, but also, from Moyne’s very own residents. “I ask the residents if they want to see something new on the menu,” she says, and then she prepares meals accordingly. As the saying goes, the show love for someone is through cooking and Michelle wholeheartedly agrees.  

“A good meal gives the residents that little bit of extra care that they need,” Michelle explains. Indeed, with her “homestyle cooking” approach, Michelle tailors her meals with the residents at the top-of-mind. She says she cooks in this way as it “is what a lot of residents are used to. I keep it simple but put lots of flavour and love into it.”   

Not only is Michelle’s approach to cooking delicious, but she also strives to ensure it is healthy and nutritious. “I try and make all of our dishes gluten free” as well as “free from a lot of artificial stuff.” This is important as the Dietitians Australia Organisation notes that adequate food is, “essential for the physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of older Australians*.”  

Michelle’s standout dish and fan favourite is of course anything she bakes, but the residents particularly enjoy her famous orange cake – a recipe she has been making for at least ten years now. In fact, the ‘secret ingredient’ includes oranges picked from Moyne’s very own garden! For those at home, Michelle notes it’s “very, very simple. It’s dairy free, easy to make and so soft in texture.” We have shared the recipe below for you to enjoy. Bon Appetite!  

*Source: Dietitians Australia 

Gluten Free Orange and Almond Cake. 

22cm springform tin baked at 170 degrees Celsius.  

Ingredients 

Cake  

6 eggs 

2 oranges 

1 cup caster sugar 

3 cups of almond meal 

1 teaspoon of gluten free baking powder 

Orange syrup 

1 orange 

¾ cup of caster sugar 

Method 

Cake 

1. Place oranges in a small saucepan 
2. Cover with cold water and bring to boil 
3. Turn down to simmer cook and cook the oranges for 15 minutes or until tender. 
4. Drain and remove the orange core 
5. Place in a food processor and , process until smooth 
6. Whisk eggs and sugar until pale and thick.  
7. Add in the oranges, almond meal and baking powder and fold until just combined.  
8. Pour into cake tin and bake for 1 hour.  

Orange Syrup 

1. Remove the rind of the rind of the orange
2. Juice one orange 
3. Place rind in boiling water for 5 minutes or until soft and drain
4. Return to simmering pan with orange juice and sugar
5. Place over low heat to cook, stirring for  2- 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves & syrup thickens