Kentucky's Gingerbread Competition

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Kentucky's Gingerbread Competition

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Kentucky’s sweetest holiday competition, celebrating creativity at Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill.

10/16/2026

A little icing. A lot of imagination. And a whole lot of CHEER!

Meet our next celebrity judge: Lauren Jacobs, the creative heart behind The Cheerful Baker. If you’ve ever looked at a decorated cookie and wondered, “How did someone make THAT?”—Lauren is your kind of person.

A competitor on Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge, Lauren turns cookies into little works of art and shares that joy through her decorating classes and The Cheerful Box. She’s not just creating beautiful things; she’s helping other bakers find the confidence to create them, too.

That blend of cookie artistry and genuine encouragement is exactly why we’re thrilled to welcome her to the celebrity judge panel for Kentucky’s 9th Annual Gingerbread House Competition at Mustard Seed Hill.

Help us give Lauren a cheerful welcome! What detail would you spend HOURS perfecting: the icing, the windows or the tiny decorations?

Ready to create your own gingerbread magic? Find competition details and enter at mustardseedhill.events/gingerbread-house.

Photo: Richie Wireman

10/14/2026

Create an edible tribute to the story at the heart of Christmas.

The Nativity Award offers competitors a meaningful opportunity to portray the birth of Jesus Christ through gingerbread artistry. From a humble stable and the town of Bethlehem to shepherds, angels and the guiding star, every detail can help illuminate a story of hope, love and divine promise.

Entries must be completely edible and will be considered for their overall appearance, originality, creativity and craftsmanship.

Only 18 days remain before entries close on November 1. Begin bringing your Nativity vision to life and register for Kentucky’s 9th Annual Gingerbread House Competition at https://www.mustardseedhill.events/gingerbread-house.

10/13/2026

Roll out the gingerbread carpet. We’re kicking off our 2026 celebrity judge reveals with a true Kentucky culinary force: Chef Ouita Michel!

The chef and restaurateur behind the Holly Hill family of restaurants, Ouita is a multiple James Beard Award semifinalist and a familiar face from Bravo’s Top Chef Kentucky. But what makes her so special to us? Her deep love for Kentucky’s farmers, food traditions and the people who bring them to life.

She has spent her career championing local talent. Now, she’s returning to Mustard Seed Hill to help celebrate another kind of Kentucky talent—the imagination and artistry behind an extraordinary gingerbread creation.

Ouita, we’re delighted to welcome you back to the celebrity judge panel for Kentucky’s 9th Annual Gingerbread House Competition!

Give Ouita a warm welcome below—and tell us: what Kentucky place would inspire YOUR gingerbread masterpiece?

Ready to create your own gingerbread magic? Find competition details and enter at mustardseedhill.events/gingerbread-house.

Photo: Richie Wireman

10/07/2026

Calling Kentucky’s pastry chefs and professional bakers: your next signature creation could be made from gingerbread.

Kentucky’s 9th Annual Gingerbread House Competition is your opportunity to move beyond the pastry case and create an edible architectural masterpiece. Showcase your command of structure, texture, color, precision and confectionery detail before a distinguished judging panel.

The competition offers more than $10,000 in prizes, and completed pieces will become part of the Gingerbread Exhibit experienced by Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill guests throughout the season.

Only 39 days remain before entries close. Claim your place in the Pastry Chef division by November 15 at https://www.mustardseedhill.events/gingerbread-house.

10/02/2026

A sweet way for your business to shine this Christmas! 🎄✨

Gingerbread sponsorships at Mustard Seed Hill start at just $100—and every award helps celebrate the creativity behind a little Christmas wonder.

Please join us in thanking the four businesses already sponsoring six awards:

✨ Kentucky Farm Bureau — Ashley McFarland - Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance : Adult 3rd, Teen 1st, and Youth 2nd Place
✨ Bluegrass Impressions: Teen 2nd Place
✨ Johnson Hospitality Group : Youth 1st Place
✨ : Youth 3rd Place

Still available:

🍬 Teen 3rd: $100
🍬 Family / Small Group: $500 / $300 / $200
🍬 Civic / Business: $500 / $300 / $200
🍬 Adult 1st / 2nd: $1,500 / $1,000
🍬 Pastry Chef: $3,000 / $2,000 / $1,000
🍬 The Nativity: $500
🍬 People’s Choice: $500

Amounts for three-place categories are listed in 1st / 2nd / 3rd order.

Local shops, family businesses, restaurants, bakeries, banks, and community organizations: there’s a sweet fit for you. Regional brands can also explore the $15,000 Gingerbread Competition & Exhibition sponsorship.

Last year, our Christmas campaign generated 4.2 million impressions across Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Indianapolis, West Virginia, and into the Carolinas. The Gingerbread Exhibit is toured in person by visitors from 45 states and 17 countries. 🌟

Ready to be part of the tradition? Contact Victoria Benson at vbenson @ cvky . org to choose your gingerbread sponsorship.

09/16/2026

✨ First Place | Family Category ✨

A sweet secret from Sugarcreek Holler ⛏️🍬

The Prater Family took 1st Place in the Family Category at Kentucky’s 8th Annual Gingerbread Competition, presented by Team Kentucky Tourism, with their entry, “The Sweet Secrets of Sugarcreek Holler.”

Hidden deep in Sugarcreek Holler, their North Pole Candy Mine No. 9 told a whole story of elves working by lantern light and sugar crystals becoming Christmas sweetness. It had that wonderful mix of imagination and Kentucky charm.

The Prater Family has brought great submissions year after year, each one filled with joy and creativity. This first-place win added another memorable chapter to their Gingerbread Competition story.

A special thank you to our guest judges, Chef Damaris Phillips and KY Taste Buds Kytastebuds for lending their eye for detail and festive spirit to last year’s gingerbread competition.

Comment below to congratulate The Prater Family on bringing Sugarcreek Holler to life. ⛏️

09/09/2026

✨ First Place | Family Category ✨

Christmas Eve came with a little chaos 🎅🍬

Kim Ellis and Sue Eisminger took 1st Place in the Family Category at Kentucky’s Gingerbread Competition, presented by Team Kentucky Tourism, with their entry, “Christmas Eve Chaos.”

Their scene captured Santa and his all-star crew getting ready for the big night, with all the playful energy you would expect right before Christmas Eve takeoff. It was cheerful, busy, and full of personality.

This was Sue and Kim’s first year participating, and they were shocked to win. They also arrived in matching “gingerbread gals” sweatshirts, which made their first-place moment even sweeter.

A special thank you to our guest judges, Chef Damaris Phillips, Martine's Pastries and Kytastebuds for lending their eye for detail and festive spirit to last year’s gingerbread competition.

Help us celebrate Kim and Sue’s incredible debut by dropping a congratulations below. 🎅

09/02/2026

✨ First Place | Adult Category ✨

Santa found his Appalachian retreat 🔥🏔️

Seriously Sweet with Amy Hicks and Cookie Snack Attack took 1st Place in the Adult Category at Kentucky’s Gingerbread Competition, presented by Team Kentucky Tourism with her entry, “Santa’s Appalachian Fireside Retreat.”

Her mountain cabin felt like a quiet Christmas story tucked away in the woods, with Santa resting by the fire and his pup, Jingles, nearby. The piece held its shape beautifully through the length of the event and gave guests so many details to discover.

This was Amy’s first year entering the competition, which made the win even more impressive. Her design was thoughtful, sturdy, and full of storytelling from the start.

A special thank you to our guest judges, Chef Damaris Phillips and Kytastebuds for lending their eye for detail and festive spirit to last year’s gingerbread competition.

Drop a comment to help us celebrate Amy’s first year and first-place win. 🔥

08/31/2026

Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Don't miss your opportunity to tour this year's Gingerbread Competition Exhibit, only at .

Purchase Your Tickets Online at https://www.mustardseedhill.events/christmas

08/27/2026

A little trip down Gingerbread Street 🇫🇷🍬

Katie Nelson Fine Art took 1st Place in the Civic + Business Category at Kentucky’s Gingerbread Competition, presented by Team Kentucky Tourism with her entry, “Rue du pain d’épice (Gingerbread Street).”

Her French-inspired scene gave guests a charming walk through Gingerbread Street, where a flower shop, bridal moment, and favorite pastry all found their place. It felt delicate and imaginative, with the kind of detail that rewarded a closer look.

Katie has placed first every year she has participated, and year after year, she has continued to level up her work. As a wedding painter, she brought an artist’s eye to the scene in such a fitting way.

A special thank you to our guest judges, Chef Damaris Phillips, Martine's Pastries, and Kytastebuds for lending their eye for detail and festive spirit to last year’s gingerbread competition.

Help us celebrate Katie and another beautiful first-place finish. ✨

Address

1122 Main Street
Millersburg, KY

Website

https://www.mustardseedhill.events/gingerbread-house

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