Press release here:
Do you have what it takes to earn gingerbread glory? The only way to find out is to get baking and enter the 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition taking place at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in scenic Asheville, N.C.
“This event has gained national recognition since The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa held the first competition back in 1993. We now receive hundreds of entries from across the country and it has blossomed into a true holiday tradition,” said Ronald E. Morin, Executive Director of Operations at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.
Judging by a professional panel takes place across four categories: Adult (18 years and older), Teen (13-17 years old), Youth (9-12 years old) and Child (5-8 years old). Entries are judged on overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme. Except for the base, the entries must be constructed entirely of edible materials. The maximum size of gingerbread houses in the competition cannot exceed two feet wide, two feet long and two feet high.
Dozens of gingerbread houses will take over The Grove Park Inn Grand Ballroom. Contestants may deliver their gingerbread houses starting on Sunday, Nov. 15th, from 2 -8 p.m. and again on Monday, Nov. 16th, from 7-8:30 a.m. The judging begins on Nov. 16th, with the awards presented that day at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Entries in the National Gingerbread House Competition will be on display at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa from Nov. 18th to Jan. 3rd. The public is invited to view the displays any Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests at the resort and those dining at one of the award winning restaurants on the property may view the displays at any time. Additionally, a group of entries will be placed on display at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.
The National Gingerbread House Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, plus a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, complete with dinner for two and breakfast daily at the historic hotel. All contestants will receive a personalized certificate.
“The judges have a very difficult time selecting a winner in each category because of the level of creativity that contestants bring to this event. Moreover, we have guests return to the Grove Park Inn year after year just to take part in the tradition of viewing these gingerbread houses during the holidays,” said Heather Brannan, Special Events Manager at The Grove Park Inn. “It’s truly one of my favorite times of year at the resort.”
New to the National Gingerbread House Competition this year will be “Stories of Gingerbread” tours. For the first time, guests will be taken behind the scenes of the popular holiday event to learn how the intricate homes are constructed, what materials were used in the designs, and other special tidbits that make the National Gingerbread House Competition a treat for people of all ages.
Guests who sign up for the “Stories of Gingerbread” tour will receive a special, commemorative lapel pin that is sure to become a collector’s item. “Stories of Gingerbread” tours will be held at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The cost for the special tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. With these fanciful entries on display throughout the resort, guests will enjoy sugar and spice and everything nice! The “Stories of Gingerbread” tours begin November 23, 2009. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 828-252-2711, ext. 4094.
For more information, please contact The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at 800.438.5800 or 828.252.2711 or visit http://www.groveparkinn.com.