Pechanga Chefs Create Gingerbread Mansion, Wonderland At Resort Casino

TEMECULA, CA—Pechanga Resort Casino's executive pastry chef and his team of expert bakers have constructed a 10-foot-tall gingerbread house and surrounding village, now all on display for the holidays in the Pechanga hotel atrium, the resort announced this week. The result is a magical wonderland in the heart of the casino resort.

It took two weeks of prep time and five days to build, a spokesperson for the resort casino said in a recent news release. The enormous confectionary construction's fresh-baked aroma leads guests to the gingerbread mansion's giant candy cane front door handle. Building materials included:

• 1,500 lbs. gingerbread
• 500 eclairs
• 35 lbs. cinnamon sticks
• 150 lbs. chocolate

The resort's pastry chefs baked and built the gingerbread house while keeping up with the thousands of fresh pastries, created daily for guests of the Pechanga Resort Casino.

The result is a sensory marvel: You must see it to believe it.

"Along with the life-sized gingerbread pad, Executive Pastry Chef, Deden Putra and his team also baked and assembled a tasty village complete with 11 gingerbread houses of varying styles and 30 trees (one of them five feet tall) made of solid dark and white chocolate, sugar creations and more. The completely edible holiday town encircles the resort’s waterfall chandelier and provides an aromatic and festive photo backdrop.

"From freshly bakes pies to festive trees and even visits with the big man from up north, Pechanga Resort Casino has all the picture-perfect things to make this holiday season memorable. This year, Pechanga has teamed up with some of the best holiday decorators in the business to turn Pechanga Resort Casino into a holiday wonderland.

"For more dazzling décor displays perfect for the camera, guests can take a stroll around the entire Pechanga Resort Casino to see more than 48 lit trees, including the 30-foot variety at the resort’s North Entrance. An array of holiday decorations adorns the inside and exterior including life-size glimmering deer, giant wrapped gifts, snowflakes, as well as thousands of red poinsettias brightening every walkway and entrance.

"If a Santa visit may be in the cards for you or for the kids, mark the calendar because Saint Nick stops by Pechanga December 17 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and December 18 and 19 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. He will be hanging out with a few elves on the Resort Tower 2nd floor foyer and offering various size photos for $10 to take home right after the picture sitting."