#USA #Omni Grove Park #Asheville #Gingerbread Competition

A Sweet Triumph at the National Gingerbread House Competition

The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa recently delighted the public with the announcement of the winners for the 2025 National Gingerbread House Competition™. This year marks a jubilant return of one of the nation's most cherished holiday traditions, especially after last year's unfortunate cancellation due to Hurricane Helene. The competition showcased an astounding array of creativity with 235 entries from 25 states, each one more impressive than the last.

Bethany Cobb, the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Omni Grove Park Inn, expressed her excitement: "The resurgence of the National Gingerbread House Competition is a testament to the strength, creativity, and unwavering spirit of our incredible gingerbread community. We are honored to once again fill the Inn with the warmth, artistry, and magic that this event brings each year."

This year’s competition marked the 2025 edition and celebrated not just the return of this beloved event but also the enduring community spirit that it inspires. Originally started as a local contest in 1992, the competition has evolved into a nationally recognized event, attracting both elite pastry chefs and eager amateur bakers alike.

Among the highlights of the competition was the return of celebrity cake artist Yolanda Gampp, well-known for her role as a judge on FOX’s Crime Scene Kitchen. She was joined by a distinguished panel, which included notable pastry chefs like John Cook, Steven Stellingwerf, Jae Park, and Ashleigh Shanti. Each entry had to be made up of at least 75% gingerbread and had to be entirely edible. Judges assessed the creations based on an array of criteria such as originality, appearance, creativity, difficulty, precision, and thematic consistency.

New this year was the introduction of the Community Spirit Award, awarded to the entry best representing community or cultural heritage, and the Rising Star Award, aimed at highlighting first-time competitors showing exceptional potential.

The 2025 winners included:

• - Grand Prize Winner (Adult): Mary Hulsman from Concord, NC, with her creation titled "The Tiny Gnome Builders".
• - Adult Second Place: Heather Nadeau from Cary, NC, for "The Birch Mouse Burrow".
• - Teen First Place: Courtland High School from Spotsylvania, VA, with the "Mosaic Stairway of Ginger".
• - Youth First Place: Bailey Nadeau from Cary, NC, for "Muddlefoot's Mushroom Madness".
• - Child First Place: Finley Doyle from Midlothian, VA, with "Grammy's Kitchen".

Additional accolades were given for categories such as Best Use of Color, Most Unique Ingredient (awarded to Drew Lehman for the use of basil flowers in "Hobbiton"), and both the Community Spirit Award and the Rising Star Award highlighting significant contributions and promise in future competitions.

The 2025 Gingerbread display will officially open on November 18, 2025, and continue through January 4, 2026, promising a festive atmosphere throughout the historic Inn. Guests can indulge in the charm of the holiday season by visiting the life-sized gingerbread house modeled after the hotel itself, complete with sweet treats and warm drinks. Over 80 illuminated trees throughout the resort further enhance the festive spirit.

For those looking to immerse themselves fully in this holiday wonder, the Omni Grove Park Inn is also offering a special Gingerbread Holiday Package for bookings made from November 19 through December 30.

Moreover, the Inn is committed to giving back to the community, contributing a portion of parking proceeds to local nonprofit organizations, with a history of over $1.2 million donated since the inception of their Holiday Parking Partner program in 2013.

For more information about the 2025 National Gingerbread House Competition and to see the breathtaking displays up close, visit Omni Hotels. To learn more about the historical significance of the Omni Grove Park Inn and its offerings, call 1-800-The-Omni.