Chef reflects on decades-long Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece tradition
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland tradition that's been around for more than half a century is about to return.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the 53rd annual Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece will be unveiled. KOIN 6 News is getting a preview of what the chef is already cooking up and constructing.
A trusty bandsaw is one of the big tools chef David Diffendorfer has been relying on for several years when creating all the detailed parts of the Benson Hotel's annual Gingerbread Masterpiece. Of course, he has several small tools, too, such as a 30-year-old dowell he uses as a rolling pin.
When asked to reflect on one of his most memorable moments over all these years, Diffendorfer said it came from a child who pitched a tiny, yet, thought-provoking idea.
"So I did a replica of the Benson and I had cut big windows and so you could see into the lobby of the hotel. And I kind of decorated, put a couple dollhouse chandeliers in there," the chef said. "And this kid looks at me and he said, 'You know what would be cool?' And I was like, 'What?' He said, 'If you put a gingerbread display inside the gingerbread display.' I stood there for 30 seconds, floored, going, 'That's the best idea I've ever heard.'"
While this year's masterpiece is still a secret, he is giving a clue that it's his interpretation of a specific German castle.
"This piece, for instance, it's all real gingerbread. And then I veneer it with almond marzipan, which then when it's wet, it's like, think of it as culinary play-doh. And then that's how I can get all the detail work," Diffendorfer explained.
Once it's done, he will have used more than 150 pounds of house-made gingerbread, 50 pounds of marzipan, 20 pounds of chocolate and 10 pounds of rice krispies treats. Royal icing is also used to make things like itty bitty wreaths.
Each year, Diffendorfer makes something entirely different. But there are tiny traditions that you can look closely for, like the mini ghosts. And to show his big love for soccer city, USA, he always includes scarves for the Portland Timbers and Thorns.
As for the obscure, leftover pieces of gingerbread, they don't all go to waste.
"A lot of this stuff, I will glue back together with chocolate and then when it hardens up, kind of shape it into rocks. So everything kind of has a use until I'm done," Diffendorfer said.
The Dec. 3 unveiling of this year's Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece is happening at the Benson Hotel grand lobby in downtown Portland at 6 p.m.
The free event will include live music, caroling, hot chocolate and maybe even a surprise visit from Santa Clause himself.
The Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece will also stay on display through January 5, 2025.