Gingerbread house building competition

Dec. 23, 2008 – There’s nothing quite like the smell of gingerbread to make you feel good about the cold weather and winter. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the George Brown College Chef School’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program held its Gingerbread House Competition. First-year baking and pastry arts students were encouraged to create an edible showpiece for the event.

Dec. 23, 2008 – There’s nothing quite like the smell of gingerbread to make you feel good about the cold weather and winter. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the George Brown College Chef School’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program held its Gingerbread House Competition. First-year baking and pastry arts students were encouraged to create an edible showpiece for the event.

Entrants had two weeks to build their gingerbread houses, which were limited in size to a 1-foot by 2-foot base, but with no height restriction.

The biggest challenge for the eager participants turned out to be transporting their creations from home to school in one piece, with all but one arriving safely.

The students’ gingerbread creations included everything from classically styled log cabins, churches and castles to more modern pieces, such as an apartment building. Some went with motifs inspired by pop culture, such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Susan Flores’ gingerbread tiki hut with a sunbathing Santa Claus drew many a chuckle from observers who stopped to check out the display in the lobby of the chef school on Adelaide Street East in downtown Toronto.

Judges were Dufflet Rosenberg of Dufflet Pastries, Scott Vivan of Jamie Kennedy’s Kitchen and Peter Jacobs of Lesaffre Yeast Corporation. Their comments included high praise for the entrants’ originality, ability to think outside the box, clean and simple design, and overall creativity.

First place – and the grand prize of a free dinner at the college’s Chef’s House restaurant – went to Emily Rigo. Jessica Costley and Michelle Usprech tied for second; Flores took third. For their efforts, the second- and third-place winners were awarded books on gourmet chocolate and pastry making.

The other participants were Ailish Roe, Jen Frank, Melissa Davis, Jennifer Elliott, Kara Lackie, Emily Weindorfer, Rachael Kaye, Marie Isabelle Pernal, Pei Ling He, Laura Mootoo, Celeste Crevier, Porche Hughes, Sarah Stratford, Caroline Murakami, Kadie Leigh MacDougal and Craig Schoeman.

The school thanks the judges for taking time to critique and inspire the students, and the students for their enthusiasm.