2023 National Gingerbread House Competition Showcases Jaw-Dropping, Meticulously Crafted Creations

Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

The winners of the country’s largest gingerbread competition have been announced, and their handiwork must be seen to be believed.

Held at Omni Grove Park Inn, a historic Asheville, North Carolina, property, the 31st Annual National Gingerbread Competition concluded on Nov. 20. Judges assessed 200 entries from over 22 states, plus one from Guatemala, with entries from the adult, teen, and youth categories, all competing for a chance to win $40,000 in cash and prizes.

First place was awarded to an aunt and niece duo from North Carolina, Difficult Dessert Devotees, for their gingerbread house rendering of a traditional home of the Torajan people of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, named “Christmas at the Tongkonan.” It was the duo’s third year competing and their very first win.

Grand Prize winner in the adult category, "Christmas at the Tongkonan" by Difficult Dessert Devotees. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Other winning gingerbread creations included a giant tortoise with a two-story house for its shell, and an elaborate elephant, elf, and reindeer entourage.

Adult second-place winner, "Moving Day" by Pat Ashley Howard. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Contestant Beatriz Mejia traveled the furthest, according to an Omni Grove Park Inn press release, coming all the way from Guatemala to submit her entry to the competition.

Each gingerbread house was required to be “75 percent gingerbread and 100 percent edible,” and each entry was judged on “overall appearance, originality, creativity, difficulty, precision, and consistency of theme.”

The panel of judges comprised chefs Mark Seaman, Geoff Blount, John Cook, Steven Stellingwerf, Aaron Morgan, and Ashleigh Shanti, plus a new judge for 2023, celebrity cake artist Yolanda Gampp.

Adult third-place winner, Bonnie Hardiman, with "Home Delivery." Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Teen first-place winner: Courtland High School German Program, "Vintage Voyage." Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Omni Grove Park Inn also awarded six honorable Chef Nicholas Lodge Awards in memory of the former lead judge: Best Use of Color, Best Use of Sprinkles, Most Unique Ingredient, Pop Culture Star, Most Innovative Structure, and Longest Standing Competitor. Entrants also had the chance to vote on their favorite design for the People’s Choice: Best in Show award.

The first gingerbread competition was held in 1992. It was born from the idea of a small group of community members who were passionate about gingerbread houses and has since grown into one of the most competitive holiday competitions of the year.

All winning entries can be seen here. Omni Grove Park Inn also celebrated its winners’ handiwork by showcasing “12 Days of Gingerbread” on Instagram. “We hope you enjoyed these gingerbread masterpieces as much as we did!” they said.

Below are some of the jaw-dropping winning entries:

Fun in the Tub

The winner of the youth category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Rockin' at the Diner

The People's Choice: Best in Show Award winner. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Grove’s Miracle Tonic

The second-place winner in the teen category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

An Elegant Christmas

The third-place winner in the teen category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Holiday Smackdown

The second-place winner from the youth category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

The third-place winner in the youth category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

The Night of Magical Memories

The winner of the child category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Ready, Set, SNOOOOWWWW!!!!

The second-place winner in the child category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Bath Santa Takes Off!

The third-place winner in the child category. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Here are the Top 10 entries in the adult category:

Adult Top Ten: Lourdes Gallardo. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Adult Top Ten: Bus Stop Moms. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Adult Top Ten: Gail Oliver. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Adult Top Ten: Beatriz Mejia. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

Adult Top Ten: Julie And Michael Andreacola. Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn

For those interested in seeing these sculptures in real life, all submitted entries will be on display on the property until Jan. 2, 2024.

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