It’s the most delicious holiday home tour every year, and we look forward to the eye candy (and regular candy) on display in Highland Park Village every year in the form of the eighth annual Gingerbread Stroll. This unique edible home tour features elaborate gingerbread houses created by Dallas pastry chefs that you can view and bid on starting today, Nov. 16, through Nov. 30.
All proceeds of the stroll will help support Community Partners of Dallas’ new facility which opens in 2019. Specifically, the Gingerbread Stroll will fund one of their night response visitation rooms, which provides a warm and loving place for children taken into protective care by Child Protective Services as they await their transition to their safe placement. The visitation rooms will look like small houses, so it is fitting that one be named after The Gingerbread Stroll.
“It is so incredible, thanks to the pastry chefs and community sponsors, that The Gingerbread Stroll has increased in annual giving from $3,000 the first year in 2011, to over $31,000 last year,” says Allie Beth Allman agent and Gingerbread Stroll founder Christine McKenny. “I am hopeful we raise over $35,000 this year for the children served by Community Partners of Dallas.”
Since its inception, the stroll has raised more than $91,000 benefiting charities that serve children and families. And this year’s display, which kicks off today, is sure to be incredible considering the deep pool of talent signed on to the event. Pastry chefs from some of the most luxurious Dallas-area hotels and bakeries will have their work on display, including the Omni Dallas, Hotel Crescent Court, The Hilton Anatole, Chocolate Secrets, BIRD Bakery, and so much more.
“We are thrilled to have 16 pastry chefs and merchants participating in The Gingerbread Stroll this year! It is always inspiring to see the creativity each chef expresses in their gingerbread houses,” McKenny said. “Each creation this year is detailed and interesting! We have a really incredible lineup of gingerbread houses to view and silent auction this year!”
Allie Beth Allman & Associates is a presenting sponsor for the event, and stops include Beretta Gallery, BIRD Bakery, Bistro 31, Draper James, ETRO, goop, JAMES PERSE, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Leggiadro, MARKET Highland Park, Robert Talbott, Roller Rabbit, Royal Blue Grocery, The Tot, Trina Turk, and VERONICA BEARD.