Bakers Start Your ovens!

The Paul Drum Life Experience Project Annual Gingerbread House Competition is accepting entries for 2022, with a $100 cash prize for the best  amateur, professional, and children's entry – along with the bragging rights for being the best! 

Gingerbread houses are whimsical and fun, just like Paul Drum, and the Life Experience programs our project offers during our summer camp. They are also architecturally fascinating works of art.  We love this friendly competitive experience - it not only enhances the magic of the holiday season but also helps fund our educational summer camp classes. 

If decorating baked goods is your thing, this competition is made for you. Create an imaginative structure, such as an historic building, seaworthy vessel, barn, farm stand, lighthouse or flight of fancy that represents your vision of the North Fork. Your creation will go to the Paul Drum Life Experience Project Gingerbread House competition for viewing and admiring, and ultimately a donation by the highest bidder in a silent auction to be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, 3:00 P.M. at the Peconic Bay Vineyard in Cutchogue (Thank you Stacy Soloviev!)

Entry deadline is December 3, 2022. Finished Gingerbread Houses are to be delivered to the competition location at 10 am on Friday, December 9, 2022, between Noon and 4:00 P.M. Winners will be announced at 3:00 P.M. on December 10th.

All individuals, local businesses, and groups are welcome to participate. 

Please read the guidelines and register today! Entering is free! The support you offer is priceless!

• One gingerbread house per entry application form 
• A signed and completed entry application form must be received by Saturday, December 3, 2022. 
• An agreed upon and signed Donation Form must be submitted along with the application. 
• Contestants will be notified within five (5) days of submitting their entry form. 
• Delivery and installation:  Friday December 9,2022, 12 noon - 4:00pm
• Entries must be built on a covered, sturdy square or rectangular base and concealed with an edible product except for side edges, which can be trimmed with ribbon or other materials. 
• Maximum size of base cannot exceed 24” x 24”. There are no height restrictions. 
• Structure must be made entirely of edible products and primarily of gingerbread. 
• All visible parts must be edible, including the “glue”, with the exception of the base and lights (if used) 
• Entries will be viewed from all directions. 
• Candies must be unwrapped. 
• The entry must be delivered in completed form. 
• The PDLEP Gingerbread Committee reserves the right not to display structures considered to be inappropriate. 
• Non-claimed structures will be donated to an organization or individual selected by the PDLEP Gingerbread Committee. 
• Contestants are encouraged to post photos demonstrating their skills and construction process on their social media and the social media pages of the PDLEP. 
• Contestants grant permission to the PDLEP to use pictures of their entry and/or themselves for either internal or external use, including print, online media and television. 
• For additional information: 516 459-9141 or write: PaulDrumLEP@gmail.com 

• Professional - Open to individuals or groups. This category is intended for skilled professionals and is open to all trained chefs, restaurateurs, artists, designers, and anyone who wants to compete on an advanced level.   A $100 prize will be awarded to the first place winner.
• Amateur - Open to individuals or groups. This category is intended for novice bakers and is open to all individuals, school groups, churches, organizations, businesses, families, and anyone who wants to compete on novice level.  A $100 prize will be awarded to the first place winner.
• Children - up to age 14. Open to all children who have completed the entry without assistance by an adult. A $100 prize will be awarded to the first place winner. 
• Just for the fun of it - Open to individuals or groups who want to donate to the fundraising auction in a non competitive manner.  There is no financial award for this category. 

1. Overall appearance 
2. Originality and Creativity 
3. Precision 

• A panel of volunteer judges will consist of a professional architect, culinary person, and artist. 
• Judges are independent volunteers and are not associated with the PDLEP. 
• Prizes will be awarded on December 10, 2022, 3:30 P.M.
• Winners of Silent Auctions will be announced on December 10, 2022, 5:30 P.M.
• Registration is NOW OPEN!!!

• Viewing Hours: Friday December 9, 2022, 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Saturday December10, 2022, 11:00am - 7:00pm.   
• Silent Bidding: begins on Friday evening, 5:00pm- 7:00pm, and ends at 5:00pm Saturday. Bidding is concluded at 5 pm on December 10, 2022 The winners will be contacted at 5:30pm.  You may increase your bid through telephone bidding. (516)459-9141.
• Bidding is concluded at 4 P.M. on December 10, 2022. The winners will be contacted immediately. 
• ***Although made from edible ingredients, all gingerbread structures are for decorative purposes only, not for consumption*** 
• Paid structures may be claimed December 10, 2022,  at 7:30 P.M. or Sunday, December 11, 12 noon - 3:00 P.M. 
• Payment for the structures will be made in cash or credit card, or transfer only. All unclaimed structures will be donated.
• The PDLEP is not responsible for unclaimed or unpaid structures not removed by December 11, 2022, 3:30 P.M.