Announcing 2016 Gingerbread Invitational Community Choice Award Winner

The Gingerbread Invitational is a fun, artful gingerbread competition and exhibition with a focus on historic landmarks and architecture in the beloved region surrounding historic Corning, NY.

Community voters echoed the judges’ sentiments, choosing “Mark Twain Study” as the exhibition favorite. The group of friends, including Ann Cady, Colleen McCall, and Martha Easton, also won the Judges’ Choice First Prize in the competition.

see more pictures from the 2016 gingerbread invitational

Their stunning gingerbread recreation of the iconic Elmira landmark featured cookie stonework, jellybean roof trimming, and several lounging cats sculpted from modeling chocolate, in honor of Mark Twain’s love of animals.

 Team member Colleen McCall, at news of their win, said, “We cannot accept this award without thanking Google, who taught us everything we know about gingerbread construction. We hope more novice bakers such as ourselves are encouraged to enter next year. Planning and preparation are key. What better way to start the holidays than baking with good friends? Thanks for letting us live out our Cake Boss fantasy and sharing in the sweet fun of the season.”

“People love Mark Twain. People love cats,” said Project Coordinator Willa Vogel of The Rockwell Museum. “In conjunction with their evident talent, this team made a very wise choice in their subject matter – whether that was part of their strategy or not!”

Vogel continues, “Visitors were just so excited to cast their vote this year. The support from the community tells us that this will be a successful tradition for years to come.”

Heart of Corning (Centerway Square)

By Wegmans Bakery Team, Corning

Corning Fire Department

By Barbara Mack of Corning Pie Works, with assistance from daughters, Frances, Lilia and Margo Mack

Little Joe Tower

By Stephen Miller, Patrick Anderson, Daniel Roemmelt

Harris Hill Glider Hangar

By Ellen Knapp of Knapp Farm, Mary Moore, Caroleen Vaughn, Jason Knapp

Corning HS Choir Singing at USS Arizona Memorial/Little Joe Tower

By Haley Brown

The Loveliest Study You Ever Saw (Mark Twain Study)

By Ann Cady, Colleen McCall, Martha Easton

The Rockwell Museum

By Jen Bauman

The Gingerbread Invitational Exhibition was on view at The Rockwell Museum throughout the holiday season, and visitors to The Rockwell had the opportunity to vote for their favorite creation, and even left with a special “I Voted” gingerbread sticker. This was the second year of The Gingerbread Invitational, but The Rockwell plans to make it a tradition for years to come.

see more pictures from the 2016 gingerbread invitational

Those interested in participating in the 2017 Gingerbread Invitational should contact Willa Vogel, vogelw@rockwellmuseum.org.

The 2017 Gingerbread Invitational was sponsored in part by LeChase Construction.