'The Water Hole' wins National Gingerbread Competition in Asheville

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Tennessee woman won the 27th annual National Gingerbread House Competition at Asheville's Omni Grove Park Inn.

Gail Oliver of Johnson City, Tennessee, took home the top prize for her gingerbread creation, affectionately called "The Water Hole."

Oliver was chosen as the winner among 225 entries, which is the most in 15 years. The judges evaluate the houses based on overall appearance, originality and creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme.

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Anderson Adams of Raleigh won first place in the youth division.

The National Gingerbread House Competition is one of the nation's most recognized annual competitive cooking holiday events.

You can see some of the entries for yourself by going to the Omni Grove Park Inn from Nov. 20 through Jan. 4. The gingerbread creations will be on display after 3 p.m. on Sunday or anytime Monday-Thursday excluding holidays and Nov. 27-28, Dec. 23-31, and Jan. 1.

Two women from Wake County who were recently featured on Food Network's "Haunted Gingerbread Showdown" again competed in this year's National Gingerbread House Competition. Neither of them finished in the top 10 this year, which is a testament to the outrageously high level of competition at the contest this year.