Page 48 - Allison's Magazine ~ Issue #99

Grier Rubeling reacts to educators and authors. We even have Judges Mark Seaman and
winning third place in the Steven Stellingwerf share notes
adult category. Nadine Orenstein, who’s a curator for with call judge Nicholas Lodge.
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and
who’s one of my favorite judges. She
looks for different things than the chefs
may look for,” Johnston-Crum shares.

To help with the scoring, the judges
carry flashlights so they don't miss any
of the intricate details the competitors
painstakingly add to their creations.
On the opposite end of the spectrum,
Johnston-Crum reveals that “our experts
know what people try to get away with,
so Chef Nick always brings his tool kit
so we can drill into houses that we have
concerns about.” (And for good reason:
one time they even discovered that a
PVC pipe ran through the center of a
piece.) The judges will also occasionally
break things off to eat them, just to
make sure they meet the edibility
requirement of the competition.

But it was a new judge, celebrity chef holiday season. “Most hotels empty out impress me every year, but it’s also a
Carla Hall, who may have made the during the holidays, but we’re the exact hard competition. People take it very
most impact in 2018 by expressing just opposite,” Johnston-Crum states. “We seriously, and we take it very seriously,”
how impressed she was by the quality sell out every Christmas Eve and every she concludes. “But we also truly believe
“ TO HELP WITH THE SCORING, THE JUDGES of the event. “Chef Carla told me, ‘I’ve Christmas Day. For many, Grove Park that it should be fun and that everyone
CARRY FLASHLIGHTS SO THEY DON’T MISS ANY never been to a food competition that becomes Christmas personified.” The involved is touched positively by it.
took care of their judges, integrated event also helps Asheville economically We want you to find that little piece
OF THE INTRICATE DETAILS THE COMPETITORS them, and made them feel like they were by drawing business from near and of nostalgia that takes you back to a
PAINSTAKINGLY ADD TO THEIR CREATIONS. part of the competition the way that far, and The Omni's holiday parking simpler time and rekindles something in
you do.’ Our whole goal is to make this program gives a portion of the holiday your childhood that made you joyful—
an enjoyable experience for everyone season's parking proceeds to the because, when you get down to it, that’s
getting the gingerbread creation here,” Specific rules also apply to the staff better for the displays) and keeping the involved—that is truly what makes this community. Over the past six years, what gingerbread houses do.”
she reveals. “Unfortunately, we’ve had involved with the competition. “We entrants anonymous for the judges. competition different,” Johnston-Crum over $430,000 has been given to local For more info, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/
a few that didn’t make it through the are not allowed to pick up the houses says. “So it was validating to hear her, not-for-profits. asheville-grove-park
door. It is devastating, not only to the at any time, and we are not allowed to CREDIBILITY AND VALIDITY coming in with a fresh perspective, say
competitor but to all of us because we move them for the competitors,” says Judges have included renowned cake that we do it for everybody, not just Johnston-Crum will be there again
know the competitors. We have a vested Johnston-Crum. “But I do escort the artist and chef Nicholas Lodge, who the competitors.” this year, welcoming every competitor
interest in them—we’ve watched many competitors in because there are certain has made cakes for Britain’s royal family to The Omni for the 2019 National
of them grow up.” For such emergencies, things in the hotel they have to walk and is the call (or lead) judge, and THE SECRET INGREDIENT: JOY Gingerbread House Competition,
The Omni has a triage area set up with around. And I like to talk to them and Cheryl Forberg, who’s the nutritionist The National Gingerbread House which is scheduled for November
things like royal icing and candies so learn more about them.” The folks at for The Biggest Loser and a James Beard Competition has become a tradition for 18, with the winning creations to be
competitors can try to fix their displays The Omni also help the competitors Award winner. But others outside of many families, who come year after year on display through January 4, 2020.
before walking them into the ballroom. by keeping the ballroom cold (which is the culinary field also judge. “We’ve got to view the winning displays during the “The inventiveness and the passion

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