Every Saturday from November 17 through December 22, one of the master pastry chefs at Gaylord Opryland will hold classes to teach guests proper techniques for constructing perfect gingerbread houses.
The bread behind the houses has a spicy and delicious history. Gingerbread has been being baked since the eleventh century. Stiff ginger cookies were eventually used in Germany first to create miniature, edible houses for decoration during Christmas. In North America, the tradition of making gingerbread houses gets its origins from the many settlers who came from Northern Europe.
The history of the gingerbread will be discussed and a fun, hands-on session to practice icing techniques will be included in the one-hour demonstrations at Gaylord Opryland that will take place on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Chef's Corner, located in the Delta Atrium during A Country Christmas.
At the end of each class, guests will have the opportunity to purchase one of two commemorative gingerbread house kits—one including patterns for making your own houses or one including patterns plus all the ingredients for making your own house. This year marks the first of many future gingerbread house classes, and each year, a new commemorative kit will be issued.
"Some of my best Christmases were those spent making gingerbread houses with my daughter," said Ken Groneck, director of special events and entertainment at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. "Many people think it is difficult to make one. We wanted to debunk that myth. These classes are a wonderful way to spend time with loved ones, learning how to make something that you will remember for years to come."
Tickets for the gingerbread house classes are $10 and can be purchased by calling 1-888-999-OPRY, or at arrival at Chef's Corner, though pre-purchased tickets are recommended to reserve a spot. To view a photo of one of the gingerbread houses go to http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/events/HolidayPressInfo.cfm.
Also included in this year's A Country Christmas is ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, the only attraction like it in the country. From the Grinch's frozen mountain top lair, to the interactive slides and surprises, this life-sized story told in ice will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular®, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® is back with dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and favorite scenes, such as the "Living Nativity" and the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers." There is also The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party, Christmas on the Cumberland on board the General Jackson Showboat;Treasures For The Holidays Craft Show; Santa's E-mail; carriage rides; Photos with Santa; Brightest Star Fountain Show; Hall of Trees and nearly two million Christmas lights.
Vacation packages for all of the A Country Christmas events are now on sale. To purchase tickets to a gingerbread class or to book a vacation package, call 1-888-999-OPRY. For more information on all A Country Christmas, please visit www.gaylordopryland.com.
ABOUT "A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS"
Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas® presented by Nissan is proud to present ICE! presented by Coca-Cola®, featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss. This is the Only SHOW like it in the USA! From the Grinch's frozen mountain top lair, to the interactive slides and surprises, this life-sized story told in ice will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular® presented by Allstate® Insurance Company, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® is back with dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and favorite scenes, such as the "Living Nativity" and the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers." There's The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party, Christmas on the Cumberland aboard the General Jackson® Showboat, Treasures For The Holidays Craft Show; Santa's E-mail; Carriage Rides; Photos with Santa; Brightest Star Fountain Show; Hall of Trees and nearly two million Christmas lights. It's everything Christmas and all at Gaylord Opryland®.
ABOUT GAYLORD OPRYLAND NASHVILLE
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - the largest non-gaming in-hotel facility in the continental United States – is known for providing superior products and services to the meetings and convention industry. Winner of numerous prestigious awards including the coveted Gold Key Elite Award in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and Gold Platter Elite in 2004, 2005 and 2006, Gaylord Opryland Nashville is the flagship property of the Gaylord Hotels brand owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordentertainment.com or www.gaylordopryland.com.
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Media Relations Contacts:
Kim Keelor, (615) 458-2877, kkeelor@gaylordhotels.com
Jeff Zimmer (615) 458-2873, jzimmer@gaylordhotels.com
Ann Dee McClane, (615) 458-2896, amcclane@gaylordhotels.com
Rob Regg (615) 458-2882, rregg@gaylordhotels.com