Holiday Gingerbread Houses On Display at Gingerbread Brunch 2013

Gingerbread House lovers and those looking for an excuse to get an early start on holiday festivities had a lot to be happy about Friday at the 6th annual Gingerbread Brunch to benefit Preservation Bloomfield.

Chefs from some of the area's best restaurants, pastry shops, and household kitchens around Metro Detroit submitted entries in the annual competition that helps raise funds for the restoration of the Barton Farmhouse.

Here are the award winners from the 2013 gingerbread house competition in two categories.  

Professional 

• Best in Show and People's Choice: 'Storybook,' created by John Parmentier of Patisserie Parmentier
• Second Prize: 'Elf on the Roof,' created by Taylor Brockenshire of the The Townsend Hotel
• Third Prize: 'Carousel,' created by Gisha Pucheta of Edible Art by Gisha 

Amateur

• Best in Show: 'Gingerbread Farm,' created by Virginia Bennett of the DAR Piety Hill Chapter
• Second Prize: 'Three Birdhouses,' created by Bee Englehart
• Third Prize: 'Holly Jolly House,' created by Jon Parker, OCC Culinary graduate

Other Selections

• Best Architectural Elements: 'St. Hugo of the Hills,' created by Tom Peters
• Best Technique: 'Cardinal Birdhouse,' created by Stephanie Parker,OCC Culinary graduate
• Most Festive: 'Candy House,' created by Home Bakery
• Most Original: 'Gingerbread Cottage,' created by Chef Joseph Hartung, of Graf's Pastry
• Most Detailed: 'M&M Castle,' created by Richard Wolfram, of Orchard Lake Country Club 

For More

• Preservation Bloomfield Continues Commitment to Barton Farmhouse
• John Parmenteir Takes Top Honor at Gingerbread Brunch 2013
• Feature Photos: Fabulous Gingerbread Houses on Display at Oakland Hill 2012
• Photo Gallery: Not Your Average Holiday Gingerbread House 2011