Festive revellers will take the sweetest ride on Executive Pastry Chef Anna Polyviou’s giant gingerbread train at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney from 29 November to 31 December 2018.

A merry destination on Sydney’s Christmas calendar, Polyviou’s whimsical works of sweet art, festive high tea and pop-up treat store will delight adults and children alike.

The hotel’s four metre gingerbread train and carriage combines over 1,000 kilos of gingerbread bricks, 500 kilos of lollies, 100 kilos of fondant, giant lollipops and candy canes, with oodles of cheery icing.

“It’s a fantastical fun world we invite our guests to enter, and I want everyone to gasp with delight when they see the epic train, inhale the tasty gingerbread aroma and eat loads of sweet treats,” Polyviou said.

GINGERBREAD TRAIN AND FESTIVE STORE

The giant gingerbread train and pop-up store will be open daily at the Lobby Lounge from 7 a.m. from 29 November to 31 December 2018. 

The show-stopping train will include various moving elements designed by cake engineer, Verusca Walker, who has collaborated with Polyviou on previous sweet installations.

The store will overflow with jolly treats for sale, including Mini Gingerbread Lolly Bag Houses priced at $65 each, Gingerbread Ninjas at $9.50 (six piece), Fruit Mince Tarts at $12.50 (six piece), Christmas Pudding at $22 each, Caramel Christmas Log at $85 each, and Christmas Trifle at $135 each.

FESTIVE HIGH TEA

Much merrymaking is afoot with Polyviou’s distinctive take on festive magic.  Guests can join the Christmas parade and savour Gingerbread Passionfruit Caramel, Strawberries ‘n’ Cream Tart, Peach Melba, Christmas in a Jar, Mince Tarts, Merry Scones and Presents under the Tree.

The Festive High Tea is available at the Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, from 29 November to 31 December 2018, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.  The Festive High Tea is priced at $65 per person and $32.50 per child (0 to 11 years old).

ABOUT ANNA POLYVIOU

Executive Pastry Chef Anna Polyviou turned her creative eye to Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney’s sweetest experiences, becoming known for her celebrated high tea, dessert degustations, Sweet Street festival, Christmas Spectacular and inventive menus.  Chef Polyviou is a judge on the prime-time cooking competition Family Food Fight, has appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia for three years in a row and has published a best-selling cookbook Sweet Street.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel owners and operators, currently manages over 100 hotels globally in 76 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands.  Prominently positioned in Asia, the group has established its hallmark of “hospitality from the heart” over four decades in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, North America and the Indian Ocean.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Australia, Bahrain, mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com.

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PRESS CONTACT:               Deane Brosnan

                                                Director of Communications

                                                Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney     

                                                176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney 2000

                                                Tel: (61 2) 9250 6151

                                                Email: deane.brosnan@shangrila.com

                                                Website:  www.shangri-la.com/Sydney