On Saturday, December 2 Catherine Beddall from Ottawa was named the official Grand Prize Gingerbread Champion at the Alight at Night Festival at Upper Canada Village.  The competition, now in its third year, continues to attract creative bakers from around the region 35 entries this year.  Thanks to sponsor Genivar of Cornwall, Ontario, over $4,000 in prize money was up for grabs in various categories. Guest judges Diana Fredrick and three students from Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute announced the winners.

All entries will be showcased throughout the Alight at Night Festival until January 7 inside Crysler Hall, a stately 19^th century building in the heart of the Village.  Two masterpiece gingerbread creations by Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute will be showcased alongside the public’s entries.

Winners and prizes awarded were as follows:

• The $1500 Grand Prize went to Catherine Beddall.  Along with the cash, Catherine will receive a two-night stay at the Guest House next door to Upper Canada Village, admission for two to Upper Canada Village with lunch at Willard’s Hotel included, dinner for two at the Village Antiques Tea Room Bed & Breakfast in Williamsburg, plus a round of golf for two with cart at the Upper Canada Golf Course.

Other category prize winners included:

Adult Category

1st Place – $500 prize cheque, a two-night stay at the Montgomery House including lunch for two and admission for two to Upper Canada Village –  Wendy Dodd of Balderson

2nd Place – $300 prize cheque, a one-night stay at the Montgomery House including lunch for two and admission for two to Upper Canada Village – Mathew Fontaine and Liz Dagenais of Cornwall

3rd Place – $200 prize cheque – Tracii Reardon of Oxford Mills

Teen/Youth Category

1st Place  – $300 prize cheque, lunch for four at Willard’s Hotel and admission for four to Upper Canada Village – Shai Kemp, Hayley Gilmer, Cassidy Moffitt and Brody Farhngraber from South Grenville District High School in Prescott

2nd Place – $200 prize cheque – Emma Creasy of Manotick

3rd Place – $100 prize cheque – Anastasia Yakabuski of Chesterville

Culinary Arts Category

1st Place – $500 prize cheque, a two night stay at the Montgomery House including lunch for two at Willard’s Hotel and admission for two to Upper Canada Village – Amanda Summaria and Allison Grundman from Humber College, Toronto.

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