Ginger Bread The Finale

We had our big competition tonight. And guess what, we placed first in our categorie! Plus there was an open bar which made all the speeches that more exciting.

We spent 4 days of class time plus a couple nights and a weekend to put on all the finishing touches. I think we calculated about 62 batches of royal icing which is like 70 pounds of icing sugar and whites.

I was in control of the kitchen made a fridge an oven along with little tinker objects like a kitchen aide and spatulas. But we had a fine brick layer who made an excellent chimney. Plus a lake pour-er and window treaters.

Everything was hand made from the fondant to the candy canes and I'm so proud of us. Besides extreme boasting privileges we got a $200 certificate to a restaurant to share between us plus a one night stay split between two people. We're still debating how to split it fairly but I'm trying to convince them a jumbo slumber party with a ton of room service.

Ginger Bread Contest

Our class is entering the Gingerbread contest held each year at the Hyatt Vancouver. We're just in the gathering of ideas process and a few keepers have been thrown out as suggestions. I'm leaning towards doing something that is near and dear to Vancouver like Totem Pole Ginger breads or possibly Olympic themed. There are guidelines and such to follow requiring it be edible and not exceed four feet tall but can you imagine making a huge ski jump and creating a mini Mayor Sullivan sitting in him wheelchair made of marzipan a top the jump?

The picture above is last years winner (Goldilocks Bakery) so as you can see these Ginger Bread makers take the contest pretty seriously.

The other ladies in my class had some great ideas. Some were really admit of keeping traditional like building a church or a Hansel and Gretel theme. Others were a little more adventurous but the idea that got the most 'ohhs & awes' was defiantly a Dr Seuss/Grinch Who Stole Christmas Gingerbread. What do you guys think? Any suggestions or have some keepers already been mentioned? We have a November 17th due date so I'll keep you updated.

And just some information to keep in your back pocket:

~Using a salt dough, though not tasty, will build a strong structure to your house. Making it rock solid and waterproof.

~When using a leavener for gingerbread use powdered baking Ammonia over baking soda or powder because when the Ammonia does its magic it makes the dough rise outwards as opposed to upward.