Inside St. Nick’s Christmas Decor Shop two toddlers sit on Santa’s lap, one crying as the other smiles. Nearby, a cat climbs a fully decorated Christmas Tree under the watchful eye of a dog. Underneath a table filled with Christmas houses are baskets of candies and gingerbread men. Outside the store windows are shoppers and a mailman bringing the day’s cards and letters.
Every detail, from the ornaments to the trimmings to the shop’s billboard are perfectly rendered by the Merry Mischief Bakers, Grand Prize winners of the 28th National Gingerbread House Competition.
This annual competition awards prizes in four categories, child, youth, teen and adult. Creations must be at least 75 percent gingerbread, making the details in each entry even more amazing. Hosted by the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event, like many 2020 holiday traditions, went virtual. Detailed views of the 12 finalists can be seen on the Inn’s Instagram page in lieu of their usual public display and are well worth a look.
While in-person viewing of the houses is cancelled, guests at the hotel can view the documentary Best in Dough: Gingerbread Finalist Showcase which features an in-depth look at the competition, the creations and the judging.
Since traveling to North Carolina isn’t an option for most of us right now, we can still up our gingerbread game by enrolling in the Baking Spirits Bright class starring the competition’s judges and celebrity chefs. For $29.99 you’ll receive lessons on gingerbread basics, piping and embellishments, and building the great gingerbread house. Proceeds from the series go to support the competition.
Photo credit: Omni Grove Park Inn