Anna Polyviou Is Building Sydney's Biggest Gingerbread House

Overview

Did you have a childhood dream of visiting the gingerbread house in Hansel & Gretel (sans witch)? It's about to become a reality. From December 2, the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney's lobby will be home to a life-size gingerbread house — Sydney's largest ever gingerbread house, in fact — complete with so much icing and lollies that we'll probably cry. Who else could be behind this creation but Anna Polyviou?

The mad scientist of the pastry world and her team will be using 1500kg of gingerbread bricks to construct the house of your childhood dreams this Christmas. Polyviou is inviting Sydneysiders to "take a mad trip through the gingerbread house" but not only that, there will be plenty of treats to buy and try not to gobble up before you get home. Her mini gingerbread lolly bag houses, ginger ninjas and Connect Four macaron packs will have you squealing like a kid in a candy shop. Literally.

You might as well buy a couple of gifts there too. Fruit mince tubes, white Christmas nougat and Christmas puddings should be enough to put your loved ones in a jolly mood. If you can't decide on a single item, why not make a day of it and enjoy Polyviou's Festive High Tea, running all throughout December. The three tiers of scones, sweets and savouries will set you back $55 per person. The menu features something called 'Christmas in a Jar'. How much more festive could it get?

Anna Polyviou's gingerbread house will be open to the public daily from 7am on Wednesday, December 2 in the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks.

Festive High Tea will be running daily from 1pm – 5pm from December 1-30. Bookings essential, call (02) 9250 6000.