Story by Lindsey Chester, photos by Brooke Meyer.

Cary, NC- The Umstead Hotel and Spa hosted the 9th annual Gingerbread House benefit to raise funds for Triangle Family Services last Thursday.

Triangle Family Servies has been helping needy families in the area for more than 75 years. The Gingerbread Benefit is the organization’s premier fundraising event.

Top local chefs created exquisite, themed gingerbread houses that were displayed in the ball room of the Umstead Hotel. The gingerbread houses, along with other items, were auctioned off during the evening’s festivities. In addition, a silent auction showcased a variety of items from local businesses, including jewelry, vacation packages and sports memorabilia.

Guests enjoyed holiday music, wine and beer, desserts and savory delicacies prepared by the Umstead’s top chefs. All proceeds benefit the program services of Triangle Family Services, which deal with issues of financial stability, family safety and mental health services in the community.

The event raised $90,039 and over 300 people were in attendance. In conjunction with the auction, the Umstead held a special Children’s Tea with Santa. Kids met with the bearded guy and  created confections of their own design.

The chefs create these works of food art, in a friendly competition, but there are no losers. Everything helps to raise the needed funds. This year there were 23 entries from chefs and restaurants all over the Triangle.

Participating chefs/restaurants:

• Chef Todd Richter, Prestonwood Country Club
• Amanda Burgess, Sweet Escape Bakery
• Sera Cuni, Foster’s Market (Chapel Hill)
• Richard Smith, Twisted Fork
• Jill Leckey, The Fearrington House Restaurant
• Angela Salmanca, Dos Taquitos
• Jason Smith, 18 Seaboard
• Ilya Koltusky, Sweet Loralee Pastries
• Kim Reynolds, Second Empire
• Lorie Murray, Simply Cakes
• Coleen Speaks, Posh Nosh Catering
• Daniel Benjamin, The Umstead Hotel & Spa
• Troy Knight, Wii Little Chefs
• Sherry Stolfo and Eddie Wilson, The Chef’s Academy
• Patrick Colley, Carolina Country Club
• Mariea Gregory, Meghan Gregory, Kelly Snyder and Davita Norris, Upper Crust Bakery
• Karen Gray, Wake Tech
• Rachel Smith, JoAnn Rey and Sue Chaploney, Wake Tech
• Bonnie Lau, Miel Bon Bons Patisserie
• Stephen James, Stick Boy Bread Company
• Donna Ford, Sweet Memories

For 75 years, Triangle Family Services has been battling critical issues in our community for the most vulnerable families. Its mission, “Building a stronger community by strengthening the family,” is fulfilled by providing programs in three key areas: financial stability, family safety and mental health services. Last year alone, Triangle Family Services served more than 75,000 Triangle area residents with 93 percent living below the poverty level.

Cary, NC – On December 17th, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Heron’s at the Umstead Hotel and Spa will be hosting a Gala event to raise funds and awareness for the Triangle Family Services Organization. This organization was founded in 1937 to help families in crisis overcome life’s challenges by giving them the tools they need to move away from crisis and into more stable and healthy life situations. They offer a range of services including parenting education, children’s mental health, individual counciling, education for Domestic Offenders as well as literacy workshops.

The Heron’s event will feature one of a kind Gingerbread Houses created by the area’s top pastry chefs that may be bid on to take home to display in your home. Wouldn’t it be nice to warm someone else’s home while brightening your own?

Tickets are $20 for children and $60 per adult and may be purchased online at Triangle Family Services: Events

For this and many other Holiday events, visit the Cary Citizen Calendar

Here a few of the highlights:

December 4th- Corner Tavern & Grill in Maynard Crossing Shopping Center,  is hosting a Corn Hole Tournament . The Tournament  benefits Walnut Terrace Community Center’s Tutoring Program. Located in Raleigh, this program helps disadvantaged children in Wake County. Teams can register for $20 at 6pm to compete. There will be a silent auction and live music as well as $500 in prizes.

December 5th- Cary Teen Council hosts their annual Santa’s Workshop starting at 10am. The event is free for children 10 and under. The Council is collecting 2 nonperishable food items from each attendee to benefit the NC Food Bank. Cary Teen Council volunteers will be helping kids create holiday crafts and passing out refreshments. Drop in activities feature Make-it Take it Holiday crafts. Live entertainment from Cary Ballet Conservatory and a special visitor from the North Pole. For more info call: 460-4965

December 17th- Heron’s Restaurant at the Umstead Hotel hosts their 7th annual “Gingerbread Gala”. Bid on one-of- a- kind handcrafted Gingerbread Houses created by the area’s top pastry Chefs. All proceeds go to help Triangle Family Services. Tickets are $60 for Adults and $20 per child. Visit tfsnc.org for tickets and additional information.

For these and many other fun outings this Holiday season, check out the Cary Citizen Calendar.