Woman wins gingerbread contest with Dutch bake

MORE than 25 people entered the first Stoke Row gingerbread house decorating competition.

It was organised by Tona Erreguin, of Imma The Bakery and the Cherry Tree Inn, and judging took place in the village hall on Saturday.

Eight people were handed prizes for their designs, some of which took the shape of local buildings, such as the Cherry Tree Inn, the Crooked Billet and St John the Evangelist Church.

They used icing to mimic snow and icicles, sweets, chocolate and biscuits, liquorice, Jazzies and party rings to decorate the roof. Some used fondant to craft Christmas trees and people.

Sue Bloomer, 61, from Stoke Row, collected the best overall prize and best over 14 prizes for her daughter, Hannah.

She won two courses at the Red Lion in Peppard Common and an overnight stay with fizz at the Cherry Tree Inn.

The design of the house is Dutch-inspired because of her grandma. Ms Bloomer said: “Hannah is very artistic so she started doing a sketch and thought about putting a fence around the outside and lights inside. She’s so creative.”

Five people, who won the professional wildcard, helped to draw and construct a 40cm long gingerbread house, which replicated the Cherry Tree Inn.

They won a bag of coffee beans and a book of Britain’s best bakeries.

Amber Jones, 28, head chef of the Cherry Tree and architect Aya Fibert were the main people who helped to create the replica.

Ms Jones said: “Aya printed out the stencils and I just rolled out the dough and cut around them and iced it together.

“We started on Monday and we spent around 50 hours on it so it was a bit of a rush. We had to have a lot of perseverance.

Ms Jones learnt about precision during this challenge. She added: “I didn’t realise that if something was slightly off, then the whole building would be wonky.”

They were supported by Bart Janos, who works in a refugee accommodation and studied architecture at London Metropolitan, kitchen porter Jess Smyth and Madz Spooner, who helped to decorate. Mr Janos said: “We have never worked with gingerbread before so it was challenging but I’ve done loads of models before, but with different materials, so I know how things come together.”

Laurie and Sasha Mirkovic, both five, who attend Stoke Row Primary School, won for the best house in the under-14s category. They received a £50 Imma The Bakery gift card.

Laurie said he resisted and only ate around five Smarties before dinner time during the process.

He said: “Mummy baked the gingerbread, then we put it all together. We decorated it with sprinkles, red and green Smarties, strawberry laces, icicles made out of icing and candy canes.

“We started on Wednesday and did it every day for probably an hour after school — the most fun was icing it.”

Suzanne Mirkovic, the boys’ mum, said: “It’s a nice villagey thing to do and get involved with. We have all the tips for next year so we know what to do better.”

Henley Mayor Tom Buckley was a judge, praised the “clever use of sweets” in the designs.

The event raised more than £1,500 for Stoke Row primary.