Gingerbread house contest won by Tennesseans

Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:56 am

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Emily Spafford of Maryville has been named the first place winner in the youth category of the 2008 National Gingerbread House Competition at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C. A field of seven judges deliberated for more than six hours last week to determine the winners among four categories: Adult, teen 13-17 and youth 9 to 12 and child 8 and younger. More than 600 spectators watched the judging process in the resort’s Grand Ballroom. The grand prize winner was Billie Mochow of Burns. First place adult was awarded to Suzanne Kanaly of Liberty Township, Ohio. Other first-place winners included Patterson and Peyton Young from Weaverville, N.C., in the teen age group and Lydia Gentry from Hendersonville, N.C., in the child category. There were a total of 124 youth, 73 teen and 203 adult entries in the 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition. As always, judging the creative creations was difficult and the proof was in the judge’s final tallies. Ms. Mochow won the grand prize by a mere two points in a close battle for the coveted grand prize. In fact, the judges were forced to award a tie for the adult fourth place winners. “I’m so excited and proud,” said Ms. Mochow. “I thought I reached the top when I won first place in 2007.” “Mochow’s creative and unique entry exhibited was an example of perfection exhibiting incredible attention to detail,” said judge Nicholas Lodge, owner of the International Sugar Arts Collection School in Atlanta. The 2008 National Gingerbread House Competition display and holiday decorations will be open for community viewing Monday through Thursday until Jan. 4. The Grove Park Inn also partners with downtown Asheville’s historic Grove Arcade to honor 35 entries. Thirty-five houses were selected by Grove Park Inn’s floral and visual design manager Royce Wilson. The Grove Arcade, one of Asheville’s architectural jewels, was envisioned by E.W. Grove, the creator of the Grove Park Inn. Ms. Mochow’s winning entry and selected other winners will be removed from The Grove Park Inn display during the week of Dec. 22 as the resort transports them to New York City for its 11th straight appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Dec. 24. Published in The Messenger 11.24.08