�Each year we receive hundreds of entries from across the country, and many of the culinary creations take at least 100 hours to design, bake and decorate. We are always delighted with these works of art and the creative edible ingredients used to make them,� said Heather Brannan, Special Events Manager. "We already have at least three former grand prize winners registered this year, so we know that the level of competition and quality will be of the absolute highest caliber."

Admire dozens of entries and winners from November 16-January 1, 2012 at no charge on Sundays-Thursdays.

While at the Resort, enjoy �Stories of Gingerbread� guided tours that provide an insider�s view of gingerbread house construction techniques and judging details. These hour-long behind the scenes tours are available Wednesdays through Sundays at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning November 18. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 & under. Advance reservations are required; call 800-438-5800.

The gingerbread houses are judged each year by a distinguished panel of judges from the culinary world and the news media. Some of those include Nicholas Lodge, Founder of the International School of Sugar & Confectionary Arts, Nadine Orenstein, Curator of the Dept. of Drawings & Prints � The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Denny Trantham, Executive Chef at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. The top award winners will be featured on ABC�s Good Morning America on December 23.

Winners in this year�s National Gingerbread House Competition are:

- Grand Prize Winner: Ashley Howard � Winter Springs, Florida;

Adult (18 years and older):
- Second Place: Heather Lewis � Austell, Georgia;
- Third Place: Barbara Evans and Mary Jo Dowling � Edlestein, Illinois.

Teen (13-17 years old):
- First Place: Carly Owens � Swannanoa, North Carolina;
- Second Place: Julia Navin � Franklin, Tennessee;
- Third Place: Laura Malanowski � Newton, North Carolina.

Youth (9-12 years old):
- First Place: Lydia Gentry � Hendersonville, North Carolina;
- Second Place: Carley Cantrell � Cookeville, Tennessee;
- Third Place: Gabriella Arthur � Easley, South Carolina.

Child (5-8 years old):
- First Place: Abby Adkins � Kodak, Tennessee;
- Second Place: Kristen Dodd � Arden, North Carolina;
- Third Place: Lydia Koenig � Mathews, North Carolina.

(Images provided by Asheville.com.)