A blue gingerbread house decorated with icing, labeled Dashers Donuts, sits on snowy white frosting with candy trees and a donut sign on the roof. Green garland is in the background.

Gingerbread Competition

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute is proud to host our annual Gingerbread Competition in conjunction with the Gingerbread Village Event!

This year’s competition is shaping up to be bigger, brighter, and more magical than ever. Whether you’re entering your own gingerbread masterpiece or just coming to admire the sweet creations, we hope you’ll add this holiday tradition to your to-do list.

Competition Categories:

Professional
Amateur
College 1
College 2
High School
Middle School
Children’s

Ready to join in the fun? Online registration is just a click away!

Official Rules and Information

1. Entry Forms

Fill out an official Entry Form on our website no later than Monday, November 30, 2026.
Attach a 3” × 5” card listing your name, address, and phone number to the underside of each entry.
Creations must fit on a 20″ diameter circular or square display board, ideally constructed of at least ½-inch thick MDO (Medium Density Overlay). Height may not exceed 24″.
Entries will be judged in seven (7) divisions:
1. Professional Division
2. Amateur Division
3. College 1 Division
4. College 2 Division
5. High School Division
6. Middle School Division — Grades 6-8
7. Children’s Division — Grades K-5
All entries must be delivered to The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute on Thursday, December 3, between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Please note: all parts of the gingerbread house must be edible (no foil or paper wrappers on candy). Mechanical enhancements are allowed.
Final judging will assess entries on four (4) criteria:
1. Use of Gingerbread & Color
2. Originality / Creativity
3. Adherence to Guidelines
4. Detail in Decoration
Judges’ decisions will be final.
Ribbons will be displayed and winners announced on Facebook on December 4. Prizes for the Gingerbread Competition 2026 will be mailed during the week of Monday, December 7.

What Division Do I Compete In?

Professional Contestant is any graduate of a Baking & Pastry Arts Program or a baker or pastry chef/cook who is working in the industry.

Amateur Contestant is any individual ages 14 and above who has no formal baking and pastry arts training and is not working in the industry at any level. (If an individual is currently enrolled in a baking and pastry or culinary arts program, they must enter in the student division: Not as an Amateur).

College 1 Contestant is any individual currently enrolled in a baking & pastry or culinary arts program and still within their first year of a 2 year program or within the first 2 years of a 4 year program

College 2 Contestant is any individual currently enrolled in a baking & pastry or culinary arts program and are in their 2nd year of a 2 year program or the 3rd and 4th year of a 4 year program.

High School Student Contestant is any student enrolled in a BOCES Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts program or any high school program involved with food production. Many of the local high schools offer elective classes in family and consumer science that deal with culinary arts. A student enrolled in this type of class must enter the high school division. Freshman – Senior in HS

Middle School Contestant is any student who enjoys building & decorating gingerbread. Grades 6, 7, 8

Child Contestant is any child grades K – 5 grade, who enjoys building & decorating gingerbread.