Portland’s legendary hotel creates a new masterpiece from 150 pounds of gingerbread, marzipan and white chocolate
PORTLAND, ORE. — (November 20, 2012) —The Benson Hotel is pleased to announce the 2012 unveiling of their gingerbread masterpiece, a tasty tradition 41-years in the making. The ever popular holiday display will be revealed on Thursday, November 29 at 4:30 p.m. in Portland’s most iconic holiday destination.
In addition to the Falkenstein Castle, The Benson Hotel’s stunning grand lobby will be decked out for the holiday season with 300 poinsettias and a striking, festively-decorated 19-foot tree. Guests will enjoy gingerbread cookies and cider, with entertainment by Festival Brass, a seven piece brass band, guaranteed to spread holiday cheer. Guests are encouraged, but not required, to bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. The festivities are free to the public and will run from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
This year’s amazing display has been “gingerly” designed, baked and crafted by Chef David Diffendorfer, the culinary mastermind behind The Benson Hotel’s famous gingerbread creations for the last 18 years.
“I’m very excited to reveal this year’s gingerbread masterpiece,” said Chef Diffendorfer, baking and pastry instructor at the Art Institute of Portland. “I’m sure King Ludwig II would be delighted to see his beloved Falkenstein Castle come to life, and I’m so pleased to share it with all of you.”
Each year Chef Diffendorfer expands the imagination with his one-of-a-kind designs, and 2012 is no exception, with the recreation of the Falkenstein Castle. A vision of King Ludwig II, the Falkenstein was to be a magnificent, fairytale castle in the Bavarian Alps, intended to outshine his already famous castle, Neuschwanstein. But with the untimely death of King Ludwig II in 1886, the castle’s plans were abandoned. More than 100 years later, a designer for the porcelain company, Lenox, stumbled upon the original drawings of the castle and found it so beautiful, that a porcelain replica was soon created. It was this delicate recreation on which Chef Diffendorfer based his design.
The Benson Hotel Gingerbread Fun Facts
· Each year, the gingerbread display takes approximately 300 hours to complete
· An average of 100 pounds of gingerbread and 25 pounds of white chocolate and marzipan are used with each creation
· Tools range from as large as a band saw to as small as a toothpick
· Part of the tradition is to cleverly hide a family of tiny Marzipan figures within the gingerbread masterpiece – discovering their hiding places delights both the kids, and the “kids at heart”
· Past works include Chateau Loire, Neuschwanstein Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, “Santa’s North Pole,” and Venice, Italy
About The Benson Hotel:
On the cusp of its centennial celebration, the historic Benson Hotel combines European elegance and charm with modern luxuries. Located in the heart of downtown Portland near sightseeing, tax-free shopping, nightlife, performing arts and museums, The Benson features 287 guestrooms and suites with HD LCD televisions, high-speed wireless, iPod docking stations, organic bamboo robes and slippers, Tempur-Pedic sleep system beds and more. The property is also home to The Palm Court restaurant and bar, as well as more than 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.
For more information, visit www.bensonhotel.com. If you would like to stay in touch with The Benson, please “Like” us on Facebook at The Benson Hotel or “Follow” us on Twitter at @thebensonhotel.
About Coast Hotels & Resorts:
Coast Hotels & Resorts has owned, managed and franchised a unique collection of distinctive West Coast properties throughout the U.S. and Canada for more than 40 years. Known for providing a seamless blend of comfort, first-rate service and exceptional value, Coast properties continually surprise and delight guests with consistently friendly accommodations and a style and personality all their own. Coast Hotels & Resorts are always conveniently located, affording both leisure and business travelers easy access to restaurants, theaters, local sight-seeing attractions and major airports. Current U.S. properties are located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. For more information, please visit our website at www.coasthotels.com. If you would like to stay in touch with Coast Hotels & Resorts, please “Like” us on Facebook at Coast Hotels & Resorts USA or “Follow” us on Twitter at @CoastHotelsUSA.