Chefs, architects team up for gingerbread build-off

Gingerbread houses look simple enough, but making one yourself can be an exercise in patience.

However, the professional chefs and architects who build the candy-and-icing-coated cookie mansions at the annual Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-off make them come together in a snap.

Nine teams will decorate structures in three hours while the public watches this Sunday in the Davenport Hotel’s Hall of Doges.

Each team brings its giant structures and adorns the incredible, edible houses from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organizers throw in a mystery ingredient at the last minute that must be used in the decorations.

Those watching can donate $1 to vote for their favorite. The money raised benefits Christ Kitchen, a job training program for women living in poverty. More information is available at www.christkitchen.org.

Kids and adults can build their own minigingerbread house in the hotel’s Grand Pennington Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The cost is $7 per house.

‘Where Women Cook’ debuts

Three area women are featured in the premier issue of the magazine, “Where Women Cook: The Heart and Soul of Cooking.”

The new magazine, published by Stampington and Co. ($14.99), includes stories about or written by organic food maven Mary Jane Butters, Farm Chicks co-creator Serena Thompson and Chaps and Cake owner Celeste Shaw.

Creator Jo Packham, who also imagined the popular magazine “Where Women Create,” says in an editor’s note that she wanted to share moments from the kitchen table with readers.

Each spread includes stories of the women and their inspirations, beautiful photos and a recipe.

Butters shared her Strawberry Pandowdy, a staple at her bed-and-breakfast in Moscow, Idaho. A recipe for blackberry scones accompanies the story about Thompson. Shaw shared a Sour Cream Lemon Pie recipe.

The magazine also features Ree Drummond, known as the Pioneer Woman from her blog and cookbook, and the women of the Chelsea Market in New York.

There’s more information at www.stampington.com. Or, check with a favorite bookstore for copies of the magazine.