Hello,
My name is David Diffendorfer and I was a pastry chef at the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland Oregon for six years. For thirty years, the Benson has erected a gingerbread display in its lobby during the holiday season. I have been creating the display for the past 12 years.

The display has grown over the years from a small table top center piece to a full sheet of plywood (4’x 8’). The current size will require up to 100lbs of gingerbread, 22lbs of chocolate, and as much as 25 lbs of marzipan. The project now requires 250 to 300 hours to complete depending on the complexities of the seasons design.

As you click through my gallery, you’ll see I have my own style of gingerbread house construction. You will not see the “traditional” candy and cookie covered buildings. I build the structure from gingerbread and add a veneer of marzipan. The use of marzipan allows me to add quite a bit of real world detail to my creations. In my buildings you’ll find brick work, doorknobs, window shutters, flower boxes, planters, park benches, café tables, sidewalks and curbs, and much more. I also like to challenge myself by trying to duplicate actual buildings. In the past I have recreated such architectural marvels as Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, and the Saint Vitus Cathedrial in Prague, Czech Republic. I have also adapted others to fit my use such as Chateau Chenonceau, and Chateau Chambord. About half of my displays are of my own designs.

Please feel free to peruse the gallery. I will have a weekly gallery update of this years display so you will be able to see the project unfold as I build and create.

Thank you for your time, and have a great holiday.
Dave