Chefs clash Sunday at Gingerbread Build-off
Even Hansel and Gretel might be tempted by the annual Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-off this Sunday.
The storybook duo should have no problem setting aside their fear of edible structures to watch local chefs and architects create amazing cookie mansions.
Eight teams will build and decorate the candy-studded structures in three hours while the public watches. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday in the Davenport Hotel’s Hall of Doges.
Organizers throw in a mystery ingredient at the last minute that must be used for decorating. Teams will include chefs from the Globe Bar and Grille, Madeleine’s Cafe and Patisserie, Europa, Off the Wall Cakes and Catering, Luna, Stefanie’s Bakery, Yoke’s Bakery and the Davenport Hotel and Tower.
Those watching can donate $1 to vote for their favorite structure. The money raised benefits Christ Kitchen, a job-training program for women living in poverty. More information is available at www.christkitchen.org.
Kids can also get into the action themselves by building their own mini-gingerbread house in the hotel’s Grand Pennington Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The cost is $7 per house.
Hot chocolate winners
Kirsten Craig’s favorite chocolate liqueur candies have helped line her wallet just in time for holiday shopping.
The Spokane woman won the $500 first prize in a recent hot chocolate milk recipe contest. The candies inspired her Orange Cream Zest Hot Chocolate Milk recipe, which was sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Washington.
There was also a category for a grown-up drinks. That prize went to Margee Berry of Trout Creek, Wash., for her Razzle Me Dazzled Raspberry Hot Chocolate.
Tom Emerson Jr. of Post Falls was a finalist in that category with his Dona Maria drink.
Look inside today’s food section for Craig and Emerson’s recipes. Other recipes from the contest can be found at www.hotchocolatemilk.net.
It’s not the holidays without …
Food plays a central role in our holiday traditions. It just isn’t Christmas if there’s a certain cookie missing from Santa’s plate or there is no marzipan to share (and hoard). Perhaps your Hanukkah rituals would feel hollow without the flavors of a familiar recipe. One taste or smell and memories of past celebrations come flooding back.
Tell us about your favorite holiday foods and we may use the information in an upcoming story. Send a note about the tastes and traditions that make your holidays complete to: lorieh@spokesman.com or Lorie Hutson, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call (509) 459-5446 or fax to (509) 459-5098.