Annual Gingerbread Competition Turns Into Fundraiser for Hurricane Helene Relief: 'Beautiful to See' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Gingerbread house currently on display at The Omni Grove Park Inn.Photo:The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa

The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa

In the wake of Helene’s impact on Asheville and the subsequent cancellation of the competition, the Inn decided to keep the tradition alive — with a twist. “Our leadership team, who oversees the planning of the competition, reimagined a way to continue the competition while honoring the artists behind these beautiful creations and benefiting the community,” the Inn’s executive pastry chef John Cook tells PEOPLE.

Navarra Fritz (age 11) with her “Country Breakfast” gingerbread house.The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa

“We received overwhelming support and numerous requests from local community members and business owners to host a gingerbread house,” Cook says. “For many, visiting the hotel during the holiday season to view the gingerbread creations, enjoy a meal, and savor our signature hot chocolate has become a cherished tradition. Because of this, they were eager to bring the tradition into these local businesses to help carry it on in a new and meaningful way.”

For more stories to make you smile, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.

The sweet-and-spicy works of art — from cityscapes to windmills— are now on display through Jan. 5 at the hotel and throughout the city. Each display features a QR code for donations to theAlways Asheville Fund, which supports efforts to help small travel and hospitality businesses in the tourist-beloved area recover.

Jessica Frost’s “A Cup of Cheer” gingerbread house.The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa

“It’s devastating to see what’s happened to our community, but it’s beautiful to see people come together and help keep tradition alive and share their skills,” the pastry chef tells PEOPLE. “The gingerbread season brings joy to a lot of people who have become family through this competition and it’s great to see them not let something like this bring them down.”

Other Omni properties are stepping in to support, too;Omni Hotels & Resortslaunched a nationwide “Gingerbread for Good” Campaign, in which guests can lend a helping hand from afar through the purchase of gingerbread-inspired treats across all 50 Omni locations. The initiative also offers opportunities to give back to theAlways Asheville Fund.

While the community found a way to keep the tradition alive this holiday season, Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa is eager to return to its regularly scheduled program next year. “We are looking forward to bringing back the in-person competition in 2025,” Cook says. “We have already announced that entries will be accepted as of July 25, 2025!”

source: people.com