It is time for my (almost) annual visit to the Benson Hotel’s gingerbread creation by Chef Duffendorfer, a delightful tradition. While the castles he creates are elegant, I especially like recognizable creations like this year’s Union Station.
The roof tiles, station windows, and bridge are chocolate–15 lbs of dark chocolate were used. See the snowman under the bridge?
The photo makes it look like a snow mouse, but it was a snowman IRL. The snow is made from white chocolate, 30 lbs of it.
Here’s a front view.
The train and tracks are not made from chocolate (nor was the train running), but what is a train station without a train? IRL there is no pond, but it makes a prettier creation! I love the details: especially the decorated tree and another snowman.
And the chocolate “gravel” on the path! Thirty lbs of marzipan were used in various details.
The White Stag sign is a Portland landmark.
The White Stag building is in the NW area, but not so close to the station as the creation looks. But it is so Portland, that it is great to have it in the creation. Around Christmas time the white stag is turned into Rudolf. Alas, even my detail photo doesn’t show the red nose.
And gingerbread. The creation took 200 lbs of housemade gingerbread to complete. I couldn’t smell the gingerbread this year, but I believe it was there.
