Gingerbread Build-Off

Amazing gingerbread houses pay tribute to Hogwarts, London Bridge — and demolished Foley's building

At the fifth annual AIA Gingerbread Build-Off, 30 teams from across the city competed to build the most stunning, over-the-top gingerbread-based creations. The teams had five hours to assemble the creations, and all of the building, frosting and decorating had to be done on-site. Despite temperatures in the 40s and a fierce wind at downtown's Hermann Square Park on Saturday that toppled a couple of entries, most of the teams displayed high-quality, highly creative work.

Teams ran the gamut in terms of experience, with professional architectural firms competing against student groups and even a group of neuroscientists.

A three-judge panel that included an architect, an engineer and a food writer (aka, me) evaluated each of the entries for a variety of awards including Grand Prix de Show, Best Architectural Icon and Most Creative Use of Materials. Teams ran the gamut in terms of experience, with professional architectural firms competing against student groups and even a group of neuroscientists. Entries needed to be at least 80 percent edible and assembled entirely on site.

Unofficially, Houston architecture icons seemed to be the theme of the day with three different versions of the Williams Tower and its corresponding Waterwall, the Astrodome and the recently-demolished Foley's on Main Street all making an appearance. Teams also turned to pop culture for inspiration with Harry Potter's Hogwarts, The Wizard of Oz, Breaking Bad and Despicable Me all getting gingerbread treatment.

As a first time visitor, I was struck by a couple of things. First, Rice Krispie treats are a surprisingly important structural element in building large-scale gingerbread houses. Second, it seems that almost every team had a different candy component for water (jello, gummy bear, almond bark, etc.)

In the end, architecture firm Kirksey took the top prize for their London Tower Bridge with a working cantilever drawbridge and boat below. A student-group from the Art Institute of Houston upset several pro teams for second with the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, "Gingerbread Fallingwater." Gensler placed third with a replication of Hogwarts Castle. The crowd selected the Despicable Me house as its favorite.

All entries are currently on display at the Architecture Center of Houston through Friday.

Rapunzel's castle is 100 percent edible, and the team committed to its theme.

1 Annual AIA Gingerbread build-off December 2013 Rapunzel's castle

Photo courtesy of AIA Houston

Rapunzel's castle is 100 percent edible, and the team committed to its theme.

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Delicious Destinations

Houston dubbed top-10 best foodie city in America by Food & Wine

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Anvil Bar & Refuge Facebook

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Houston has gobbled up three awards in national magazine Food & Wine's 2026 Global Tastemaker Awards, including the title as the No. 6 best foodie city in the U.S.

Food & Wine annually surveys its network of judges, which includes more than 400 chefs, travel experts, wine connoisseurs, and more to determine nominees for "the best food-forward destinations" in the world. Winners are then evaluated and ranked by the magazine's Global Advisory Board.

The Global Tastemaker Awards praised Houston's overall food scene among the 10 best in the nation, and local restaurants get to reap the benefits. Acclaimed eateries like Feges BBQ, Theodore Rex, and Tatemó were named must-try spots for locals and tourists to visit.

"[Houston] boasts the most ethnically diverse population of any large city in the country," the report said. "That multiculturalism seasons the city’s dining scene, offering exceptional Tex-Mex/Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southern/Cajun cuisines alongside classic Texas barbecue."

Anvil, another Houston staple from local restaurateur Bobby Heugel, was crowned the No. 2 best bar in the U.S. Food & Wine dubs Heugel "the architect" of Houston's bar scene, citing Anvil's multiple James Beard Award nominations.

"The high-energy space offers a list of 100-plus classics plus seasonal options, some sure to join the long list eventually," the report said. "Reflecting the zeitgeist, Anvil credits the bartenders who created the drinks, and recently brought back happy hour, starting at 2 pm, at a moment when many patrons are particularly price-sensitive."

Even George Bush Intercontinental Airport won an award as the No. 6 best U.S. airport for food and drink. The Houston airport is widely known for having many local restaurants for visitors to get a taste of the local food scene. Weary travelers can get their burger fix at Hubcap Grill, try Simone Biles' newly opened restaurant Taste of Gold, sip on a margarita at El Tiempo, and much more.

Simone Biles Taste of Gold IAH Find Taste of Gold near gate A8. Courtesy of Houston Airports

Food & Wine also gave a sneak peek at what's to come as IAH continues renovations.

"When Terminal B fully reopens this fall, it will include two additional Michelin Bib Gourmand picks, Blood Bros. BBQ and Rosie Cannonball, alongside B&B Butchers and Pink’s Pizza," the report said. "And the new Terminal D-West Concourse scored Velvet Taco, a Dallas‑born brand with a devoted Houston following."

Other Texas cities, restaurants, and airports that earned awards from Food & Wine include:

Austin – No. 1 Best Coffee City in U.S.; No. 4 Best Pastry City in U.S.; and No. 7 Best U.S. City for Food and Drink
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin – No. 2 Best U.S. Airport for Food and Drink
Canje, Austin – No. 3 Best Restaurant in the U.S.
Hotel Emma, San Antonio – No. 8 Best Hotel in the U.S.

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