The winners of the country’s largest gingerbread competition have been announced, and their handiwork must be seen to be believed.
Held at Omni Grove Park Inn, a historic Asheville, North Carolina, property, the 31st Annual National Gingerbread Competition concluded on Nov. 20. Judges assessed 200 entries from over 22 states, plus one from Guatemala, with entries from the adult, teen, and youth categories, all competing for a chance to win $40,000 in cash and prizes.
First place was awarded to an aunt and niece duo from North Carolina, Difficult Dessert Devotees, for their gingerbread house rendering of a traditional home of the Torajan people of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, named “Christmas at the Tongkonan.” It was the duo’s third year competing and their very first win.
Other winning gingerbread creations included a giant tortoise with a two-story house for its shell, and an elaborate elephant, elf, and reindeer entourage.
Each gingerbread house was required to be “75 percent gingerbread and 100 percent edible,” and each entry was judged on “overall appearance, originality, creativity, difficulty, precision, and consistency of theme.”
The panel of judges comprised chefs Mark Seaman, Geoff Blount, John Cook, Steven Stellingwerf, Aaron Morgan, and Ashleigh Shanti, plus a new judge for 2023, celebrity cake artist Yolanda Gampp.
Omni Grove Park Inn also awarded six honorable Chef Nicholas Lodge Awards in memory of the former lead judge: Best Use of Color, Best Use of Sprinkles, Most Unique Ingredient, Pop Culture Star, Most Innovative Structure, and Longest Standing Competitor. Entrants also had the chance to vote on their favorite design for the People’s Choice: Best in Show award.
The first gingerbread competition was held in 1992. It was born from the idea of a small group of community members who were passionate about gingerbread houses and has since grown into one of the most competitive holiday competitions of the year.
Fun in the Tub
Rockin' at the Diner
Grove’s Miracle Tonic
An Elegant Christmas
Holiday Smackdown
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
The Night of Magical Memories
Ready, Set, SNOOOOWWWW!!!!
Bath Santa Takes Off!
Here are the Top 10 entries in the adult category:
For those interested in seeing these sculptures in real life, all submitted entries will be on display on the property until Jan. 2, 2024.
