SOUTH BEND, Ind.  — On Sunday, Dec. 20, the Cass County COA’s chef Kevin Stantz won first place in the Gingerbread Village contest put on by downtown South Bend.

Stantz won the overall prize based on a vote by professionals as well as a public vote. He also took first place in the professionals category.

Entries were judged on originality, craftsmanship, design, difficulty level, and overall appearance. This is his third consecutive year as winner.

For this year’s contest, Stantz created a Gingerbread Castle, with the help of COA staff members Laura McCluskie and Terina Miller. They transported the castle, which weighed over 100 pounds, from the Lowe Center in Cassopolis to the former College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend. It took over three weeks to create and is made entirely of edible materials.

Stantz used gingerbread, various types of candy, chocolate “rocks,” Fruit Roll-Ups, frosting, approximately 12 pounds of sugar, and more.

The Gingerbread Village is part of downtown South Bend’s Santa’s Workshop. Other activities include free cookie decorating, a model train set, letters to Santa, and more.

The gingerbread creations, including winners of the children’s and non-professional group/family categories, will remain on display until Christmas Eve inside the former College Football Hall of Fame at 111 S. St. Joseph St. in South Bend.  Contact downtown South Bend for more information and hours of operation.