The Portland chef looks back on the decades-long tradition of the Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Portland tradition that has been around for more than half a century is soon returning.

The 53rd Annual Meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 3rd Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece is revealed. KOIN 6 News gets a preview of what the chef is already cooking and building.

A trusty band saw is one of the great tools that chef David Diffendorfer has relied on for several years when creating all of the detailed pieces of the Benson Hotel’s annual Gingerbread Masterpiece. Of course, he also has some small tools with him, such as a 30-year-old wooden dowel that he uses as a rolling pin.

When asked to reflect on one of his most memorable moments over the years, Diffendorfer said it came from a child who put forward a tiny but thought-provoking idea.

“So I made a replica of the Benson and cut big windows so you could see into the lobby of the hotel. And I kind of decorated it and put some dollhouse chandeliers in it,” the chef said. “And this kid looks at me and says, ‘You know what would be cool?’ And I thought, ‘What?’ He said, “If you put a gingerbread presentation in the gingerbread presentation.” I stood there stunned for 30 seconds and said, ‘That’s the best idea I’ve ever heard.'”

While this year’s masterpiece is still a secret, he is dropping hints that it is his interpretation of a particular German castle.

“This piece, for example, is all real gingerbread. And then I veneer it with almond marzipan, which when wet looks like a culinary toy. And then I can do all the detailed work,” explained Diffendorfer.

Once it’s finished, he’ll have used more than 150 pounds of homemade gingerbread, 50 pounds of marzipan, 20 pounds of chocolate and 10 pounds of Rice Krispies treats. Royal icing is also used to make small wreaths.

Every year Diffendorfer does something completely different. But there are small traditions that you can look for closely, such as the mini ghosts. And to show his great love for the football city USA, he always has scarves for the Portland Timbers and Thorns with him.

As for the obscure leftover gingerbread pieces, not all of them end up in the trash.

“I will glue a lot of it back together with chocolate and then shape it into stones when it hardens. So everything kind of has a purpose until I’m done,” Diffendorfer said.

The unveiling of this year’s Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece will take place on December 3rd at 6 p.m. in the grand lobby of the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland

The free event includes live music, Christmas carols, hot chocolate and maybe even a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself.

The Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece will also be on view until January 5, 2025.