World's First Green Gingerbread House at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) December 2, 2009

The green and festive spirit of the holidays is decking the halls of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte this year, as the LEED®-built hotel has unveiled its first annual environmentally-friendly, all-organic Gingerbread House.

Available for public viewing inside the lobby of the new hotel, the architect-designed Green Gingerbread House is created by Chef Jon Farace and the culinary and engineering teams of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. The edible estate measures 10 feet high by 14 feet wide, features a striking Tudor architectural style, and is built of all-organic culinary components. Design highlights include LED lights and a green "vegetated" moss roof inspired by the eco-minded roof of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte itself.

The structure was built by Jonathan Gellman of Skyward Builders, using efficient framing practices, recycled nails and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified lumber and OSB panels obtained from within a 500-mile radius of the hotel. The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte's Dan Spiegel, LEED® AP, supervised the construction.

The Green Gingerbread House has just been unveiled in the Lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte and will remain on display throughout the holiday season. The culinary structure is created from the following ingredients:

•     350 pounds of organic white, brown and confectioner's sugar
•     70 pounds of organic egg whites
•     300 pounds of organic bread flour
•     100 organic eggs
•     24 pounds of molasses
•     Four pounds of salt
•     Four pounds of baking soda
•     120 pounds of shortening
•     24 ounces of cinnamon
•     Two gallons of organic milk
•     Eight ounces each of nutmeg, allspice and cloves
•     Nine ounces of ginger

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte's Green Gingerbread House complements the hotel's upcoming series of Holiday Teas, which will be offered within the hotel's residential-style 15th floor Living Room on December 12, 19 and 26. For dining reservations and hotel information, please contact The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte at (704) 547-2244. For room reservations, please visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com, call toll-free (800) 241-3333 or contact a travel professional.

Images available

###