ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Dubbed the largest gingerbread house competition in America, the winners of the 30th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition are being showcased during the 12 days of Gingerbread, by The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
What You Need To Know
Check out the winners from the 30th annual National Gingerbread House Competition here
The event is hosted by Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville
This year’s competition had 219 competitors from all over the nation, with some even traveling from Canada and Guatemala
This year featured 219 entries from all over the country, with some even traveling from Guatemala and Canada to take part.
“The National Gingerbread House Competition is one of the nation’s most celebrated and competitive holiday events,” explained Isabel Miller, the brand communications and event manager for The Omni Grove Park Inn.
“It all started back in 1992, and it was just a couple of community members that really wanted another way to celebrate the holiday season. And then fast forward three decades later, and it has just grown substantially and, you know, it's evolved into more than just gingerbread houses, too,” Miller said.
This year’s team of judges was headlined by celebrity chef and TV host, Carla Hall, as well as a new judge this year, 2020 James Beard finalist Ashleigh Shanti of Asheville.
All entries had to be 100% edible, composed of at least 75% gingerbread, and evaluated based on creativity, difficulty, appearance and more.
This year, the cash and prizes across all categories increased to a value of $40,000.
Miller says the event itself has helped contribute over $680,000 to not-for-profit partners in western North Carolina, with the help of their Holiday Parking Program.
For those of us struggling to craft our own gingerbread houses at home this holiday season, Miller recommends starting with a big idea.
“What do you what do you want to tell the judges? What story do you want to show them?” Miller said. “We had competitors that modeled after, you know, a clock that they had growing up that their grandmother loved, or they modeled it after their own house. So, draw that inspiration from somewhere in your life and then show us it through gingerbread.”
You can see the winners here or in person at The Omni Grove Park Inn until January 2, 2023. It’s open to the public Monday through Thursday and after 6 p.m. on Sundays, excluding holidays.
The 31st Annual Gingerbread House Competition will be held in November 2023. Details on the competition will be announced in the summer.