Giant 'Green' Gingerbread House at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

  • November 17, 2011
Giant 'Green' Gingerbread House at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
The environmentally-friendly, edible eco-manor will go on display in the Lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte on Thanksgiving Day and will remain available for public viewing until December 28, 2011.

Architect-designed and created from all organic and natural culinary components, the giant Green Gingerbread House measures 12 feet high by 14 feet wide by 10 feet deep and offers a picturesque Tudor architectural style and of whimsical candy embellishments. The house also features its own LED lights and a green “vegetated” moss roof inspired by the eco-minded roof of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte itself – the first LEED® Gold-certified property for The Ritz-Carlton.

The life-size gingerbread house at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte uses efficient framing practices, recycled nails and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified lumber and OSB panels obtained from within a 500-mile radius of the year-old property.

Culinary components are made from the following:

350 pounds of organic white, brown and confectioner's sugar
70 pounds of organic egg whites
300 pounds of organic bread flour
100 organic eggs
24 pounds of molasses
Four pounds of salt
Four pounds of baking soda
120 pounds of shortening
24 ounces of cinnamon
Two gallons of organic milk
Eight ounces each of nutmeg, allspice and cloves
Nine ounces of ginger

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte's Green Gingerbread House complements the hotel's upcoming series of Holiday Teas, which will be offered on December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. For tea reservations, contact The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte at (704) 547-2244.

Finally, and as icing on the holiday cake, the hotel's new Bar Cocoa all-dessert dining and retail experience will offer several specialty dining selections for the season, along with seasonal cakes to enjoy at Bar Cocoa or to take home. Bar Cocoa will also offer pre-packaged and à la carte holiday gift boxes filled with its favorite holiday chocolates and treats as well as seasonal confections from renowned chocolatier Norman Love. Designed for individual or corporate purchase, Bar Cocoa holiday gift boxes are priced from $35.

Hotel Profile: The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte