The 2025 National Gingerbread Competition has made a sweet return to the Omni Grove Park Inn. This year, 235 participants presented meticulously crafted 100% edible frosting-fortified fortresses, but only one creation was awarded the grand prize.
A panel of esteemed chefs gave Mary Hulsman of Concord, NC the competition’s biggest honor for her architectural marvel, “The Tiny Gnome Builders.” Click through the photo gallery below to see more winning gingerbread houses.
Adult Second Place: Heather Nadeau, Cary, NC, The Birch Mouse Burrow
Adult Third Place: Michael Villella, New York, NY, Wassail Break
Child (ages 5-8) First Place: Finley Doyle, Midlothian, VA, Grammy’s Kitchen
Youth (ages 9-12) First Place: Bailey Nadeau, Cary, NC, Muddlefoot’s Mushroom Madness
Teen (ages 13-17) First Place: Courtland High School, Spotsylvania, VA, Mosaic Stairway of Ginger
Seeing the sugary showstoppers
Now that bakers have been recognized for their gingerbread gems, the display is open for viewing through Sunday, Jan. 4. Also on display is the Great Gingerbread House in the Great Hall — a life-sized gingerbread house modeled after the historic hotel, serving up hot chocolate and sweets.
Non-resort guests are invited to view the display after 6 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday-Thursday, excluding holidays and the following dates: November 27, December 7, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and January 1. All Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for resort guests and those with confirmed dining reservations. Through the holidays, valet parking is $40 and self-parking is $30.
