15th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off

Christ Kitchen's largest annual fundraiser, the annual Gingerbread Build-Off, attracted a high volume of families to celebrate the season with build-your-own gingerbread houses and the opportunity to watch professionals assemble elaborate entries in teams. For the first time ever, the event occurred at the Kalispel Tribe of Indians' Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

Section:Gallery

Sun., Dec. 8, 2019

Valerie Varner of the Cahill-Varner Family team carefully attaches the tallest point of her team's entry, "Russia" during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Amber Owens of Lilac City Bakery decorates a detailed Christmas tree for her team's entry, "Advent Calendar of Many Cultures,"during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Sarah Goff builds a gingerbread house with her daughter Madeline Sanders, 6, during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
The Eiffel Tower is seen underway for Yoke's entry, "Paris" during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
An intricate carousel on the Cahill-Varner Family team entry, "Russia" is seen during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Chloe Nichols, 10, builds her own gingerbread house during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Tom Cahill, Valerie Varner and Amber Varner of the Cahill-Varner Family team watches as Valerie carefully attaches the tallest point of her team's entry, "Russia" during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Valerie Varner of the Cahill-Varner Family team celebrates after affixing the tallest point of her team's entry, "Russia" during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
The build-your-own gingerbread houses for families come with the house pre-assembled by volunteers and ready for decoration during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Tiny crafted snowmen rest in an egg carton before placement during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Becky Warner of Catee Cakes lays fondant for a railroad track for her team's entry, "Italy," during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Owner Catee Ng of Catee Cakes places tiny fondant trees with pliers onto her team's entry, "Italy," during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Averie Papke, 3 giggles while she builds her own gingerbread house during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
From left: Rae, Erien and Isabella Najera pose for a photo with a life-size gingerbread man and woman during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Kim Kelly, executive director of Christ Kitchen, strolls by the professionally-made gingerbread entries during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Brooke Ball, 9, builds her own gingerbread house during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
A tiny bistro is seen on Yoke's entry, "Paris" during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Cassidy Merritt of Lilac City Bakery decorates fondant charcters for her team's entry, "Advent Calendar of Many Cultures,"during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Merritt works as the cupcake decorator for Lilac City Bakery.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Kathleen Watson of Lilac City Bakery is seen through a window in the gingerbread house that her team was building, "Advent Calendar of Many Cultures," during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Adults and children alike observe professionals assembling their entries during the 15th annual Gingerbread Build-Off, held for the first time at Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Dec. 8, 2019. Families gathered to assemble their own gingerbread houses, to view elaborate professionally-made gingerbread houses as they were put together by local teams, plus other activities like photo booths and raffles to benefit Christ Kitchen.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review