Since 1992, ambitious bakers have gathered for the Annual National Gingerbread House Competition – the largest contest of its kind in the US. This 2022 winners, announced in November at The Omni Grove Park Inn hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, showcase an incredible array of talent (and some very steady hands) across different age categories from children to adults. From an intricate, Star Wars–inspired masterpiece to Christmassy scenes and an homage to the USA, here are the winners in all their edible glory.
This year saw the first-ever People's Choice: Best in Show Award, which was presented to Jessica Frost of El Paso, Texas for her patriotic masterpiece, 'Engine of America'. Her edible homage to the US included intricate gingerbread landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, the White House and Wrigley Field baseball stadium, home of the Chicago Cubs.
Beatritz Mejia presented a glorious, golden-hued gingerbread factory called 'Santa Academy', showing elves creating a little Christmas magic. She received the prize for Furthest Traveled Competitor, having made her way to North Carolina from Guatemala.
Merry Spafford of Loudon, Tennessee, received the award for Longest Standing Competitor after having competed in a whopping 19 consecutive competitions. This year her fabulous, fairy-tale inspired creation was named 'Mother Goose on the Loose', a charming take on the classic story.
Team Andreacola, of Indian Trail, North Carolina, were the worthy winners of the Most Innovative Structure award. Their complex build, 'National Museum of Gingerbread', is a miniature architectural wonder, complete with ornately framed pictures and a series of staircases.
Entries are required to contain at least 75% of gingerbread, which leaves some room for imagination when it comes to the rest of the ingredients (though they must be edible). Strangest Sisters of Asheville, North Carolina created the Stranger Things–inspired 'Vecna's Lair' using nori, a type of edible seaweed – and took the prize for Most Unique Ingredient.
In another brilliantly specific category, Best Use of Sprinkles, this riot of colour took first place. It was the work of the Odyssey 3-4 Seekers of Asheville, North Carolina, who named their uber-colourful landscape 'The Ginger Ridge Parkway' – a play on the state's Blue Ridge Parkway (which also runs through parts of Virginia). Check out that vibrant fall foliage.
The Chef Nicholas Lodge Award for Best Use of Color went to the Difficult Dessert Devotees from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Their bright and beautiful gingerbread house, named 'Inside Out Christmas Party', was inspired by the Disney Pixar film.
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The Glitter Girls of Toccoa, Georgia created a magical piece called 'Mrs Claus' Fairies', which was awarded third place in the child category. The gingerbread masterpiece depicts children and Arctic animals, from narwhal to polar bears, getting in the festive spirit.
In another group effort, Team Tinker of Lexington, Kentucky took second place for 'The Christmas Chapel'. The snow-covered gingerbread chapel and adorable Christmas trees delighted the judges.
Maisy Frahler, from Greenville, South Carolina, achieved top scores and received first place in the child category for her special creation, 'Christmas Morning Paper Dolls'. The charming scene shows a doll with a selection of cut-out paper dresses.
Ella Frahler, of Greenville, South Carolina, came third in the youth category with her impressively detailed 'Workbench of a Sewing Elf', which features a sweet gingerbread sewing machine and a handwritten letter to Santa.
Hailey Wesolek from Swannanoa, North Carolina earned second place in the youth category with her cute gingerbread treehouse, named 'Christmas in The Treehouse' – complete with cheeky monkey characters.
Coble Adams, from Raleigh, North Carolina, won the judges' hearts and two accolades with 'Santa Yoda and His Baby Elves'. The Star Wars–inspired piece won first place in the youth category, as well as bagging the Pop Culture Star award.
Lolajay, from Asheville, North Carolina, delighted the judges and snagged third place with her typewriter made of gingerbread. The name of the piece? 'A Merry 'Type' Of Christmas' – pun very much intended.
The Courtland High School German Program from Spotsylvania, Virginia was awarded second place in the teen category for this splendid theatrical piece, named 'Clara's Dream'. The dreamy, festive creation shows an audience enchanted by a theatre show.
First place in the teen category went to the Rhinehart Girls from Columbia, Tennessee for their magical 'Fairy Tea House', with its stunning flower-topped teacups and fantastical teapot cottage. The whimsical scene even shows a fairy perching on an arched bridge over a stream.
Third place was awarded to Tiny Farm Bakers from Montreat, North Carolina. Their whimsical (and very festive) piece, 'Merry Mountain Mayhem', depicts Santa’s Christmas delivery to an adorable woodland cabin.
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Beatriz Muller of Coldwater, Ontario was awarded second place for her stunning creation, 'The Time of Christmas Past', which is so incredibly intricate it's hard to believe it's really made of gingerbread.
Ann Bailey from Cary, North Carolina took first place in the adult category – and scooped the overall grand prize – with her Peter Pan–inspired masterpiece, 'When Dreams Have Wings'. Ann received a giant cheque for $7,500, a trophy and a two-night stay at The Omni Grove Park Inn hotel.
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