Dr Melvin Dalgarno cutting the Vasilopitta (2009)

Vasilopitta is a cake which conceals a coin-token. The entire cake is carefully divided up, the Saint (Saint Basil who is celebrated on New Year’s Day) gets the first piece, then the second and third goes to Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary, then the eldest member of the household (or the father), and so on down through the family, sometimes including those who live far away. The one who finds the coin in his/her piece of cake is considered to have a good luck throughout the year. 

The cake is baked on the week before New Year’s Day, and it’s served on New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day.