22 Dec 2015
Asheville, N.C. – Culinary artists of all skillsets from across the country came together in November 2015, for the 23rd annual National Gingerbread House Competition. Hosted by The Omni Grove Park Inn, the popular nationwide competition received more than 160 entries for a chance to win the grand prize of $7,500, with total prizes for all categories valued at more than $20,500.
With the requirement of being made of at least 75 percent gingerbread, each holiday display was judged on overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme. This year's elite panel of judges featured world-renowned pastry chefs, artists and media experts, including the nutritionist for NBC's “The Biggest Loser,” a curator from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the author of "The Gingerbread Book" and many others.
The 2015 winning entries in the categories of adult, teen, youth and child include:
Grand Prize Winner – Adult: Jennifer Elmore & Mike Willauer from Chapel Hill, N.C.
Adult Second Place: Billie Mochow from Burns, Tenn.
Adult Third Place: Suzanne Kanaly from Liberty Township, Ohio
Teen (13- to 17-year-olds) First Place: Courtland High School German Program from Spotsylvania, Va.
Teen Second Place: Emily Grant from Greer, S.C.
Teen Third Place: South Rowan High Rock the House Club I from China Grove, N.C.
Youth (9- to 12-year-olds) First Place: Collin Anderson from Conover, N.C.
Youth Second Place: Perry Pate from Hickory, N.C.
Youth Third Place: Nadia Fuentes from Canton, N.C.
Child (5- to 8-year-olds) First Place: Spirit Girls from China Grove, N.C.
Child Second Place: Emmet Otter's Friends from Blue Ridge, Ga.
Child Third Place: Abbey Browning from Candler, N.C.
All gingerbread masterpieces will be on display on a complimentary basis at The Omni Grove Park Inn from Nov. 18, 2015, through Jan. 3, 2016. A portion of parking proceeds generated during this period are being donated to the following local nonprofit organizations: Special Olympics of Buncombe County; Asheville City Schools Foundation; American Legion Baseball Post #70; Homeward Bound; Asheville Humane Society; and Children First/Communities in Schools. Travelers interested in viewing the hundreds of intricate and stunning holiday designs can book the Gingerbread Holiday package for stays through Dec. 29, 2015. Starting at $308 per night, the package includes deluxe accommodations, the Art of Breakfast Buffet in the Blue Ridge restaurant, one gingerbread cookie per registered guest and overnight valet or garage parking.
To view high-resolution images of the complete list of winning gingerbread displays, please visit here. In addition, b-roll from the event is also available by request. For more information or to make reservations, call 1-800-438-5800 or visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park.
About The Omni Grove Park Inn
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains just minutes from downtown Asheville, N.C., The Omni Grove Park Inn provides a one-of-a-kind escape. The award-winning, 513-room resort has just undergone a $25 million renovation. Originally opened in 1913, the Inn showcases a wide range of Arts & Crafts furnishings from Stickley and Roycroft throughout guest areas, guestrooms and suites. The world- class Spa is an experience like no other, with 43,000 square feet of subterranean space and a menu of unique treatments incorporating indigenous elements. The resort's historic 18-hole Donald Ross golf course is considered among the top golf experiences in North Carolina, and the Sports Complex includes indoor and outdoor tennis courts. The Omni Grove Park Inn is well suited for meetings and events, with 25 meeting rooms and two ballrooms totaling 55,000 square feet, including the Skyline Room and Mountain View Terrace. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.
About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. With over 20 world-class golf courses and award-winning spa retreats, to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options. Known for its distinguished, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's “Power of One” associate empowerment program.The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications and was ranked “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upper Upscale Hotel Chains” in the J.D. Power 2015 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.
