More than 160 people competed in the 23rd Annual National 529124_num1120275Gingerbread House Competition held at Omni Grove Park Inn in North Carolina. The gingerbread houses had to constructed from real gingerbread to be eligible for the competition. The competition mandated that at least 75 percent each house had to be made out of gingerbread.

The houses were judged by an esteemed panel of judges that included the nutritionist from the Biggest Loser, pastry chefs, the author of The Gingerbread Book, a curator from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and more. The grand prize winners, Jennifer Elmore & Mike Willauer from Chapel Hill, N.C, earned $7,500 in the adults category.

The adult second place winner was: Billie Mochow from Burns, Tenn.

The adult third place winner was: Suzanne Kanaly from Liberty Township, Ohio

Some of the proceeds from the competition will benefit local community organizations in the Asheville area schools, sports, and an organization to help animals.

The gingerbread houses will be on display at the Omni Grove Park inn until January 3, 2016.