On November 19th, the Chef School at the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (CHCA) transformed the traditional holiday baking competition into a high-level artistic display.
Talented Chef School students were invited to compete in the Folk and Fairytales-themed 16th annual Gingerbread Competition. Using their imagination, they turned sugar, flour, and spice into extraordinary edible narratives.
The competition that celebrated the diverse cultures of George Brown College (GBC) students recognized their exceptional creativity and technical skills in bringing their creations to life. The top three students in the CHCA competition won cash prizes provided by Dawn Foods and a Wiley baking book.
The competition that celebrated the diverse cultures of George Brown College (GBC) students recognized their exceptional creativity and technical skills in bringing their creations to life. The top three students in the CHCA competition won cash prizes provided by Dawn Foods and a Wiley baking book.
The student creations were judged by a panel of industry experts, including Colleen Cross, editor of Bakers Journal; Dufflet Rosenberg of Dufflet Pastries; Joanne Yolles, Pastry Chef and former GBC pastry instructor; Amanda Inglese from Wiley; and Austin D'Souza of Dawn Foods.
Culinary creativity comes to life
Thomas Villiger's contemporary take on the classic fairytale, The Three Little Pigs, was baked into an artistic gingerbread masterpiece, earning the Baking and Pastry Arts Management student the day's top honour and the grand prize of $2,000.
Thomas Villiger's Three Little Pigs
"My gingerbread competition entry was based on The Three Little Pigs," said Villiger of his creation. "The wolf blew down the straw and wooden houses, but the pigs constructed a lovely mansion of brick and concrete that withstood his attacks. They enjoyed their luxurious domesticity free of disturbance."
Nisheka Samarakkody took second prize and $1,000 for her interpretation of Sleeping Beauty's Cottage, while Daniella Llamosas earned third place and $500 for her interpretation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' Cottage.
Gem Geronimo won this year's People's Choice Award for her chocolate-covered gingerbread creation representing Kasa Jizo, nestled in a landscape of sweet snow.
"Another year of success and successful student showcase at GBC Chef School! It was heartwarming to see the care and support each student had with each other, supporting each house from transport box to display table," said Tara Ferguson, Associate Dean of the Chef School. "So much talent and creativity on display. I am proud of the Bake Faculty lead, Chef Sue Fleming, who has supported every student each year since the competition's inception. Thank you."
