Well Fed On the Town

This is proof that food is art. The National Gingerbread House Competition, hosted each year at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, features dozens of unbelievably intricate gingerbread creations. This spot was called the “epicenter of gingerbread art” by Washington Post Magazine last year.

ABC’s Good Morning America will feature the contest on Christmas Eve, and the Travel Channel filmed the competition to air in December. You can also get a taste of the amazing creations with these gingerbread house competition videos. The competition’s emcee was Jill Cordes, host of “The Best of…” on Food Network.

Contestants from all over the country bring their unique takes on the classic gingerbread house to be judged. Since gingerbread houses are so delicate, many drive several hours to bring an intact house to the competition. In fact, there is a gingerbread triage area behind a black curtain so that injured houses can get quick repairs upon arrival.

The hundreds of entries range from Victorian mansions, mountain cabins and Christmas trees to this year’s grand prize winning castle (pictured to the right).

The creations must be entirely constructed with edible materials, and it’s pretty amazing the details that are made from food. You will see entire trees, cars, people, and intricate decorations. There are columns made of candy canes, roof shingles of M&Ms and fences of Rice Krispy treats.

There are a few spots to see the amazing entries in the Asheville area:

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
290 Macon Avenue
Asheville, NC
(800) 438-5800
Viewing of houses Monday through Thursday for public
Viewing daily for resort guests
Now through Jan. 6

Grove Arcade
One Page Avenue
Asheville, NC
(828) 252-7799
40 houses from competition on display daily
Now through Jan. 5

Asheville Visitor Center
36 Montford Avenue
Asheville, NC
(828) 258-6101
Featuring one gingerbread house on display
Now through January