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Gingerbread build-off returns Sunday

From towering tree houses to giant red barns, the gingerbread structures at the annual Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-off are always a surprise. And the decorations? You simply have to see them.

Local chefs and architects pair up to build gingerbread houses for the competition and then decorate them while the public watches. This year, they’ll be decking the halls of the structures 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the Hall of Doges at the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St.

The teams include: Yoke’s Fresh Market and Bernardo Wills Architects; Northern Quest Resort and Casino; Redeemer Lutheran Church and ALSC Architects; Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Baker Construction; Marsells Cakes and Integrus Architecture; and Spokane chef Howard Bateman.

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

Viewers can also build their own mini gingerbread house in the hotel’s Grand Pennington Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The cost is $7 per house. The edible structures will be on display after Sunday’s royal-icing extravaganza on the mezzanine at the Davenport Hotel through Dec. 26.

Butter-Up the Holidays contest

Here’s a contest that could help butter up your holiday spirit.

The Washington Dairy Products Commission, the Dairy Farmers of Oregon and the United Dairymen of Idaho are sponsoring a “Butter-Up the Holidays” contest.

Amateur chefs in Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon are invited to send their best original holiday recipe featuring butter for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Fred Meyer. A single winner from each state will be chosen, and a grand prize winner chosen from the four states will get a $250 Fred Meyer gift card.

The contest runs through Dec. 31. Prizes will be awarded in January. To enter, go to www.butterup theholidays.com.

Look inside today’s Food section for winning recipes from previous contests, including Sweet Chili Shrimp Baguette Bites and Orange Cream Sugar Cookies.