Creativity and Artistry take center stage at the National Gingerbread House competition in Asheville, NC
It all began with a small group of gingerbread houses built by members of the Asheville, NC community in 1992 as another way to celebrate the holiday season. There were no plans to continue the following year. Yet, there was no possible way to know that more than two decades later, the Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition, would be one of the nation’s most celebrated and competitive holiday events. As the event grew, so did the caliber of judges and competitors. Its panel of judges represents nationally renowned food and media professionals, and the level of competition has attracted the highest quality of design, artistry and pastry expertise. The competition has merited coverage by NBC’s TODAY Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, the Travel Channel and the Food Network.
The competition will welcome first-time judge, Yolanda Gampp. Also known as the “Beyonce Of Cakes,” Gampp is a celebrity cake artist, judge on Fox’s Crime Scene Kitchen, two-time bestselling cookbook author and a co-founder of How To Cake It, the No. 1 online baking-education company in the world. The entire judging panel will recognize the top 10 entrees in all age divisions and six entries with the esteemed Chef Nicholas Lodge awards, introduced last year.
The official 2023 Gingerbread Display at the Omni Grove Park begins on Monday, November 27, 2023, and will continue through Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Guests not staying at the Resort are invited to view the display after 4:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday-Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1.
For those who may not travel this season, the hotel will continue, “The 12 Days of Gingerbread” by presenting one of the Top 12 finalists, per day, on the hotel’s Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) channels from December 1-12, to spark ginger-love for all during the happiest season of the year.
The Gingerbread Display has grown in more than just entries; it has become a true family holiday tradition. From the very young to the very young at heart, the reaction to this magical experience is the same — one of wonder, awe and delight. CS