There before my eyes, my daughter’s very own Gingerbread House. Complete with icing snow, snowmen, Santas, gummy bears, jellybeans, M&Ms and a couple of candy trees. It looks like something right out of Hansel and Gratel and would sit proudly on the hotel’s bakery shelf for sale! I’m being totally biased of course but then, given that an hour or two ago, I was seriously skeptical about how the Gingerbread House will turn out seeing how they first started out as slabs of plain brown gingerbread pieces. Now, I gladly stand corrected for my lack of faith.

Back for the 2^nd year (after a highly successful first run last year), Shangri-Lla Hotel’s Christmas Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop injects tons of wholesome fun this festive season for the entire family. The tradition of making decorated Gingerbread Houses began in Germany about 200 years ago. After the publication of the Brothers’ Grimm renowned fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, German bakers began creating ornamented houses made from gingerbread. These Christmas treats flourished and arrived in the United States, where decorating Gingerbread Houses became a favourite way of celebrating Christmas for many families.

Back at the workshop, each child is presented with an child-sized apron and a lovely chef hat upon arrival (how thoughtful!).  We were led to a table where Dana was given a set of pre-baked gingerbread pieces to ‘glue’ together using freshly made royal icing (prepared by the pastry chefs). After setting up the main Gingerbread House structure, the decorating begins…and so does the excitement!  Situated at the far end of the function room is a long table filled with an assortment of candies – yes, the type children’s dreams are made of. Kids are free to take their pick of decorations for their Gingerbread House and I must say, the range is quite wide –  all shapes, tastes and sizes! They are completely edible of course as Dana and all the other kids gladly found out! These candies are handpicked, brought back to the decorating table then ‘glued’ to the Gingerbread Houses with the royal icing again.  Judging by the smiles and laughter in the room, the kids were clearly having incredible fun.

The Area Executive Pastry Chef Hervé Potus was there with his ‘helpers’ throughout the session to guide everyone along. They were all so very approachable and jovial. The kids love them! If they had not don their familiar chef uniforms, I would have easily mistaken them to be seasoned party entertainers or childminders with their effortless ways of striking up conversations with the children. Best of all, they were very patient and encouraging in helping everyone get creative with their designs.  I must say, one glance around the room, the Gingerbread Houses were decorated very tastefully. They all looked too pretty to be eaten!

To sweeten the afternoon further, right at the entrance of the room is a dessert table filled with an assortment of festive snacks, including Frosted Berry Tartlets, Chocolate Profiteroles, Rainbow Donuts, Smiley Cupcakes and Christmas Panettone and Cookies and free flow of juices, cold and hot beverages. The staff would be glad to prepare a warm cup of Macchiato or serve you their finest teas of your choice. As it was a rainy Sunday, I must say I almost felt I was right in wintry Europe! Almost!

After about 1.5 hours, Dana’s masterpiece is done. The team carefully seal in a classy Shangri-La round transparent cake box ready to be transported home for display (we were told it can last for 1.5 months)…like what ours is doing now! Every child gets to also bring home the apron and hat as a memento. 

Thank you Shangri-La Hotel for the exquisite experience. You’ve made our little girl’s Christmas a little more magical and unforgettable!