Call it “Sweet and the City.”
The Museum of the City of New York’s “Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off” competition and exhibit have returned for a second year, paying homage to the Big Apple with delicious, seasonal baked goods.
Since earlier this month, New Yorkers have had the opportunity to see some of Gotham’s most iconic structures reimagined as dessert — all at MCNY’s Upper East Side venue.
“We are savoring MCNY’s centennial year and celebrating the holidays with our second annual Gingerbread NYC installation,” said Stephanie Wilchfort, President of the Museum of the City of New York, in a press release. “Last year’s installation was a joy to behold (not to mention to smell). Now, we again have the sweet opportunity to highlight the special ingredient that makes New York, New York, creative people — professionals and amateurs alike — who hail from around the city.”
The show opened this past Friday.
A slate of expert judges, including Magnolia Bakery CEO Bobbie Lloyd, and Metropolitan Museum of Art curator and former National Gingerbread House Competition judge Nadine Orenstein, have already weighed in on which of the 23 contestants’ dough-based renderings rose to the top.
In what is functionally first place, though officially titled “Best overall,” there’s Bronx native Patty Pops’ abstract “Hip-Hop” installation, which is more concept than address.
A tiny city of gingerbread contestants. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
Holly Longworth’s Circo’s Pastry Shop. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
SottoVoce and Something Sugared’s Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch (Grand Army Plaza). Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
The winning entry, Patty Pops’ “Hip-Hop.” Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
Camaxtli Gallegos’ Bronx Zoo. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
Ma Smith’s Dessert Café’ the Apollo Theater. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
Loretta Bricchi Lee’s American Museum of Natural History. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
Kathryn Irizarry and Kayla Wong’s Brooklyn block. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New York
The entrance to the exhibit. Brad Farwell for Museum of the City of New YorkOther award-winners include sugary replicas of the New York Hall of Science, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, the American Natural History Museum and Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town.
In addition to actual bakers, those responsible for engineering the gingerbread city on display at MCNY through January 15 include a social worker, an orthodontist and a molecular biologist who, despite their official professions, are passionate about pastries.
Meanwhile, downtown, in Lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, another gingerbread metropolis has risen: That one, from the Museum of Architecture, is named simply “The Gingerbread City” and is on view until January 7.
