POINT CLEAR, AL–(Marketwire – December 10, 2010) – The Grand’s culinary magicians have once again created the 700-pound gingerbread masterpiece that perfectly resembles the Grand Hotel property. Guests spending time on the Gulf Coast for the holidays can learn the art of gingerbread at the Grand’s Culinary Academy “How to Make a Gingerbread House” workshop. The magic continues at The Grand with Santa visiting to gather Christmas wishes and to spend breakfast with all those making the nice list this year. 

When: The gingerbread replica is on display throughout December and Santa will be visiting Dec. 4, 11 and 18; Breakfast served from 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Santa is available for pictures from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The gingerbread workshop is Dec. 18 at 10:00 a.m. at this extraordinary Gulf Shores beach resort.

Where: Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa. The gingerbread is located in the Main Dining Area of the Point Clear hotel’s restaurants and Breakfast with Santa is in the Main Dining Room

More: The 8-foot-wide, 16-foot-long replica of the property takes about 6 weeks to construct in total. The gingerbread village is constructed by executive Chef Mike Wallace, Pastry Chef John Jackson, Engineer Ed Clark and the pastry team at the Grand Hotel. For gingerbread construction and other decorating tips, the culinary team is available for interviews. See contact information below.

The entire village is edible except the wood base, train, illumination, model cars and people. Ingredients include gingerbread for the houses, royal icing for snow, couscous for the streets, green coconut for grass, Rice Krispy treats for bushes, Cornflakes for tree foliage, chocolate fondant for the tree truck and branches, candy cane and gum drops for street lights, gelatin sheets for windows, squid ink pasta for wrought iron gates and more.

The “How to Make a Gingerbread Workshop” teaches guests step-by-step instructions on how to build and decorate their own gingerbread creation. Each participant will leave with their own gingerbread house to display during the holidays. The price for guests is $25 and children receive a half-price discount.

The price for breakfast with Santa for adults is $19.95; for children ages 5-11, $9.95; and children under 5 are complimentary. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 251.928.9201.

About The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa

Since 1847, The Grand Hotel has maintained a standard of Southern elegance and hospitality on historic Mobile Bay. The four diamond hotel, which was named a top family-resort by Travel + Leisure, offers guests an opportunity to transcend into a world that is absent from the demands and distractions of everyday life. Explore the Gulf Coast hotel’s various amenities including access to 36 holes on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama and a world-class European-inspired spa. For more information, please visit www.marriottgrand.com.

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