In France, families celebrate Christmas with their own special cake of sorts called a “bouche de noel.” That same tradition came to life Dec. 7 when nearly 85 students from French classes at Los Gatos and Saratoga held a friendly decorating contest at LGHS’s community room.

Groups of four to five students had 20 minutes to decorate their “bouche”, or essentially a yule log, for a chance to win prizes like candy, iTunes gift cards and homework passes. The French teachers of both schools and their children judged the cakes.

The event started last year when the French teachers decided to do something incorporating both schools, French teacher Laura Lizundia said.

“[All the French teachers] know each other and we thought it would be fun to meet up with both schools,” she said. “After [holding the event] last year, we thought ‘we have to do this again.’”

The teachers plan to continue this event annually, Lizundia said.

This year’s yule logs were baked by Los Gatos students, since Saratoga students had been given that task last year. After students from both schools decorated the logs, they arranged them in rows for the judging.

“I think we did very badly compared to others, but ours will taste the best because we put a ton of frosting,” sophomore Maggy Liu said as she ate a marshmallow.

A LGHS group claimed first place.

For judging criteria, Lizundia said the yule logs were made to imitate something found in the forest.
“[Yule logs] are made to look real. One group even added a branch of frosting to their cake,” Lizundia said.

Sophomore Sasan Sadat said it was his favorite event of the year because “it is chill to get to know other people.”

Ultimately, all students were left with two great holiday treats—extra credit and rows of delicious cakes.