Architects and Chefs Team Up To Build Fairytale Gingerbread Castles in Seattle

At the <a href="http://www.sheratonseattle.com/gingerbreadvillage" target="_blank">2012 Sheraton Seattle Gingerbread Village</a> you'll find incredible confectionary castles created for everyone from Aladdin to the Snow Queen, Belle and the Beast, Alice and even Ariel. Benefiting the <a href="http://jdrfnorthwest.org/" target="_blank">Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Northwest Chapter</a>, the 20th Annual competition paired local Seattle architects with chefs to create magical, edible worlds based on the theme <a href="http://gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com/" target="_blank">Once Upon A Time</a>. Although we strongly recommend that one refrain from ingesting the sugar-overload-inducing creations, the fairytale gingerbread village will be on display at the Sheraton Seattle through January 1st in the hotel's lobby.

For the last 20 years, the Sheraton Seattle has been hosting the <a href="http://gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com/" target="_blank">annual gingerbread village contest</a>.

Top Seattle architects and chefs join forces to create fantastical and edible worlds all with the goal of raising money for the local JDRF chapter.

This year's theme was Once Upon a Time and 6 fairytale themed castles were built, all equally amazing and intricately decorated.

Architect/Chef teams completed their edible creations back in November and were exhibited to the public in the hotel lobby in downtown Seattle starting on November 20th and will be up until January 1st, 2013.

Ariel’s Underwater Castle was designed by <a href="http://www.callison.com/" target="_blank">Callison</a> and crafted by Pastry Chef Wally Walberg.

The <a href="http://www.mba-ks.com/" target="_blank">Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties</a> &amp; <a href="http://gelottehommas.com/home.html" target="_blank">Gelotte Hommas</a> designed Aladdin’s Magical Castle, which was built by Banquet Chef Jay Sardeson.

Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Castle was designed by <a href="http://www.dlrgroup.com/" target="_blank">DLR Group</a> and created by Executive Chef John W. Armstrong IV.

<a href="http://www.4darchitects.com/" target="_blank">4D Architects</a> dreamed up Brother’s Grimm Castle of Fairy Tales that was built by Banquet Chef Jay Sardeson.

Narnia’s Snow Queen Castle was designed by <a href="http://www.mulvannyg2.com/" target="_blank">Mulvanny G2 Architecture</a> and whipped up by Purchasing Manager Lee Baldyga.

At the <a href="http://www.sheratonseattle.com/gingerbreadvillage" target="_blank">2012 Sheraton Seattle Gingerbread Village</a>, you'll find everyone from Aladdin, to the Snow Queen, Belle, the Beast, Alice and even Ariel. Benefiting the <a href="http://jdrfnorthwest.org/" target="_blank">Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Northwest Chapter</a>, the 20th Annual competition pairs local Seattle architects and chefs together to create magical and edible worlds from the theme, <a href="http://gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com/" target="_blank">Once Upon A Time</a>. Although we strongly recommend everyone refrain from ingesting the sugar-overload inducing creations, the fairy tale gingerbread village will be on display at the Sheraton Seattle through January 1st in the hotel's lobby.

Executive Chef John W. Armstrong IV talks to visitors about his gingerbread castle.

A detail of Beauty &amp; The Beast dancing on the bridge.

Visitors and admirers can <a href="http://gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com/3/miscellaneous4.htm" target="_blank">vote for their favorite castle via text</a>.