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00:00Sugar and Spice, where five teams of the nation's best bakers have come together to build entire worlds made of gingerbread.
00:11This is next level gingerbread building.
00:13As they compete for a $100,000 prize.
00:16We're up against some crazy talented people.
00:19Last time we saw some rise to the top.
00:22The winner is Team Chalet!
00:26Congratulations!
00:27Some fall to the bottom.
00:30Team Mid-Century, the build did not feel like Christmas.
00:34Oh, it kind of took the wind out of my sails.
00:36Team Brownstone, one of the problems I have is how the buildings are facing each other.
00:41We just want to keep creating more.
00:44And we had a Christmas surprise.
00:46Team going home is no one.
00:51But next time, one team is definitely going home.
00:56It's time for our holiday tale to continue.
01:00But first, we need a host.
01:02That's where I come in.
01:03Hey, guys.
01:06I'm testing what it's like to live tiny for when I do shrink my family to live in your gingerbread world.
01:12Welcome back to Gingerbread Land, the biggest little holiday competition.
01:18Are you ready to grow your world again?
01:21Yes.
01:21Yes.
01:22Because in this challenge, you will double it.
01:25And if you make it to the end, your gingerbread lands will be four times as big.
01:29Any of you teams can walk away with a $100,000 prize.
01:34Okay, so before I introduce your next challenge, let's welcome back our judges.
01:38We've got Chef Gail Gant and Architect Michael Ford.
01:42You look like an architect and you look like a pastry chef.
01:46And you look like a lumberjack.
01:48I do?
01:48Yeah.
01:49That's okay.
01:50She said you look like a lumberjack.
01:52I don't mind that.
01:54Okay, so this time your build theme is where we shop and eat.
02:01Because nothing says the holidays more than buying gifts for your loved ones and, of course, stuffing your face.
02:08Your main structure must be a shopping or a dining area.
02:11And your build needs to have a hidden detail.
02:14Something that opens, reveals, or surprises.
02:18Keep in mind, you will be judged on your gingerbread land as a whole.
02:22So you have a chance to go back and maybe fix something that the judges critiqued before.
02:26This week, a team is definitely going home.
02:30What are we looking for?
02:32We're looking for creativity, including staying true to your architectural styles.
02:36But also execution, plus continuity.
02:39So making sure that your new build is integrated with your previous build.
02:45I don't think any of us have ever built a village of this magnitude in this amount of time.
02:50I mean, this is the Olympics of gingerbread.
02:52Okay, teams, you have until the clock strikes midnight.
02:56Only 12 hours for this challenge.
02:58You ready?
02:59Go.
03:00Okay.
03:00Oh, my God.
03:01Oh, my God.
03:02Sketch, sketch, sketch.
03:03What are we thinking?
03:05So how about it facing this way so we don't have a back of it?
03:09Yeah, because we got dinged on our positioning on our last piece.
03:12And that put us in the bottom.
03:13We have to move it.
03:14We'll move it.
03:14Our entire problem with moving this build is that we have been using isomalt.
03:20It's hard.
03:20That's our glue.
03:22How do we lift it?
03:23I really hope we don't break anything.
03:24Let's do all this stuff first.
03:26I have no idea.
03:26And then we'll flip it and adjust after.
03:29I love these, like, old-style vintage, like, diners.
03:34Wait, so we have to seamlessly connect this to what's existing.
03:38So what are our ideas on that?
03:39A promenade leading off of this area into the next.
03:42Some promenade would be great.
03:43With palm trees.
03:44We're coming into this challenge after being on the bottom.
03:47Last week, we did not budget time well to finish the Christmas elements,
03:51which I realized was something we needed to change going forward.
03:54So this week's challenge is where you shop and eat.
03:57What do we want to see?
03:58They need to reveal to us little techniques that they know how to do out of foods.
04:03The way that they build it out is so beautiful,
04:04you almost forget that it's entirely edible.
04:07Right.
04:07Last time, Team Chalet won for their precision and inventive use
04:12of gingerbread.
04:13The thing about it is, like, every tree's almost the same.
04:17Right.
04:17And I feel like I want a little bit of variation.
04:20Okay, let's talk about Team Villa.
04:21I've been impressed with this team,
04:23but it's one big thing that they are missing.
04:25It's not open.
04:26It feels very close.
04:27Mm-hmm.
04:27In that environment, you want to start to have some breezeways.
04:32Let's go check them out.
04:32Come on.
04:33Okay.
04:34All right, Team Myths.
04:35Hi, we're here to check in on you.
04:36What are you building as far as where you shop or eat?
04:40We have a diner with a drive-thru,
04:42and then we have a little shopping area
04:44that's going to be a bakery and a little retail section.
04:47You know, last time you didn't have a lot of Christmas elements.
04:49We didn't.
04:50I am going to front-load Christmas.
04:53I have to do three Christmas trees, three flamingos with hats,
04:58a mailbox with deco, a ginger chick, the palm trees.
05:02So, yeah.
05:03So, you got your prep list.
05:04So, it's like organized chaos going on.
05:06It is.
05:07I'm going to get started on this garage door mechanism.
05:11I want to kind of attack the hidden detail element of our challenge.
05:14I'm going to be making a functional garage door out of chipboard and edible paper.
05:20On the inside, we'll have little mischievous elves creating chaos.
05:26Team Coastal, this is where I live.
05:29What are we doing?
05:31How are we expanding?
05:32As you know, Coastal communities don't have malls and big commercial things.
05:38We're going to bring in more of an old fish warehouse that's been converted to three local shops.
05:43We're going to bring in the good old local bait shop.
05:45What's your hidden thing going to be?
05:46So, we're going to have an element where you can view down through that water,
05:50and you will see fish, turtles, all the things.
05:53It's an underwater treasure.
05:54Treasure.
05:55I love that.
05:56Team Villa in the house.
05:58Where are we shopping?
05:59Where are we eating?
06:00We took mostly Spanish inspiration.
06:02So, we are going to be making a market that is kind of our tall building that will be three layers.
06:09And then we also have our cafe, which we are going to give the Mediterranean arches look on.
06:16So, that you can actually have some breezeways and walkthroughs, because that was some of the feedback we got.
06:21And then we're also going to have a bakery.
06:23For our hidden element, we are going to make the bakery windows open.
06:29Oh, wow.
06:29I love that.
06:30Yes.
06:30So, I'm going to make some hinges for our bakery shutters.
06:34I'm going to wrap gun paste around a piece of spaghetti, because that's what will be in the hinges,
06:40so the shutters can open and close.
06:43Okay.
06:44All right, behind you.
06:46So, while Faith is working on the shuttered doors, I'm actually working on what is going to be inside the bakery.
06:52I have a mold to create 50 little croissants and donuts and bread.
06:58These are all made out of fondant, and then I get to paint.
07:03Did you guys see this?
07:04This is our bakery shelf.
07:06Oh, it's amazing.
07:07Wow, that's amazing.
07:09Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.
07:11We're going to do like a big mountain, right?
07:13Yeah.
07:13I'm going to start laying this out.
07:15I'll just take that slope up really high.
07:18Coming into this challenge, I mean, I feel really good.
07:21Very confident.
07:23Winner chalet.
07:24Winner chalet.
07:25Timothee Chalamet, chalet, Timothee Chalamet.
07:29Okay, what's the plan?
07:31We're planning to go big this time.
07:34Ooh.
07:34We want a resort, like a nice size.
07:37Is it kind of like a ski resort?
07:38Exactly.
07:39Okay.
07:40We're rolling.
07:40We're using the regular gingerbread and blonde gingerbread.
07:45Basically, it's the same recipe.
07:47It's just we're using corn syrup and the blonde gingerbread.
07:50For our pin and element.
07:51We decide to do a banner celebrating a grand opening for this new shopping plaza.
07:59Team Brownstone.
08:00Yes, sir.
08:00Can we talk about what structure we're going to build?
08:05It's like one of those old school malls with, you know, those quintessential bubble awnings?
08:11Yes.
08:11So for the places that we shop and eat, we're going to be making a mall, a bakery, and a candy shop.
08:18And keep it on the down low.
08:19We're going to give something that the judges can actually eat off our display.
08:23It was supposed to be a surprise.
08:24No, but he's going to keep our secret.
08:26I'm not going to say anything.
08:27Okay.
08:28Thank you so much.
08:29Thank you guys.
08:30Joelle, do we want to move this?
08:31Yeah.
08:32Let me try to slice it with a knife.
08:34Yeah, do that.
08:34Just let me...
08:35We're twisting our building around because the judges said they want to see it facing them.
08:40So we have to do some surgery.
08:42Okay, you got to be very careful with your wall.
08:44It took forever.
08:45And if you break something, there's no time to refix it.
08:48I don't want it to lose.
08:49Wait, wait, wait.
08:49Let me get my fingers in.
08:51One sec.
08:52This wire is stuck.
08:53Just cut it.
08:54It's fragile.
08:56Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, oh!
08:59Cut the wire.
09:00We have to twist our building around because the judges said they want to see it facing
09:07the front.
09:07Have faith.
09:09There we go.
09:10It looks a lot better.
09:12It looks beautiful.
09:13If we're winning this, I'm getting a gingerbread tattoo here.
09:16We should all get a matching tattoo.
09:17Like plaza, you guys get gingerbread tattoos and I get a bracelet.
09:27So I need to focus on finishing the building.
09:30Do not talk to me anymore.
09:32So for where we shop and eat, the main focus is going to be this large-scale ski resort building.
09:39So Carolina is going to put all her time into this building and Susan and I are going to
09:44focus on making sure that the foreground and the landscaping is done.
09:47This is beautiful.
09:49Thank you so much.
09:50We're a little bit ambitious.
09:52I'm going to add this blonde gingerbread to the facade and it's going to have a nice contrast.
09:57This is just incredible.
09:59How are you feeling?
10:00Good.
10:00It's just, this is the type of stuff that just takes so much time.
10:03It's just that tedious stuff.
10:05Yeah.
10:05Yeah.
10:06So how did you get into all this?
10:07So my grandparents had a soul food restaurant for over 45 years in South Georgia and my grandmother
10:13taught me how to bake because she made all the cakes for the restaurant and I've just
10:17been going ever since.
10:19We are trying our best to represent ourselves in our chalet story and so I definitely plan
10:26to bring my family restaurant to the chalet.
10:29Oh, I'm so happy.
10:31I got my grandparents made.
10:34All right.
10:35Let's put a building together.
10:36Okay.
10:37We are making a shopping and dining area with three main structures and this time we're
10:42going to have breezeways and openings.
10:44I think this will work because honestly, like, you have more space there.
10:48Which is really what the judges were kind of asking for.
10:51Just more space.
10:54All right.
10:55Team Villa.
10:56I'm loving the opportunity to see it before you start to add the stucco so we can start
11:00to see how you made the gingerbread.
11:02That it's actual gingerbread.
11:03Yeah, into a structural material now.
11:05We will use some hard royal icing to fill the seams so that everything just sticks together.
11:10What is royal icing?
11:13Usually it's powdered sugar, egg whites, and then some kind of citrus, which helps kind of
11:18activate it so it dries faster and further.
11:20So this is some quick drying mortar.
11:22It basically is a mortar.
11:23And delicious.
11:23And then I think it's just going to be a little bit of a prayer.
11:26Mm-hmm.
11:27We realize now, like, if we really want a shot at winning, let's give the judges what they
11:32asked for, which was cover those seams so that you can't really see them.
11:36There's some spots on the inside that are missed if you want to hit those.
11:42I have to say, I'm a little worried.
11:44You're supposed to be the positive one.
11:45You've got to make three more trees.
11:47To make my palm trees, I am using a gum paste fondant mixture.
11:52Tanya, do you have any of those elves done?
11:54I have four of them basically done.
11:57The judges really didn't like how empty our town felt in our previous challenge, so we
12:02want to add as many people as we can.
12:05I have silicone molds that I've made of little plastic people, and we are taking different
12:11skin color gum paste and kind of pressing it into the mold and dehydrating them so that
12:17they're hard and can stand up straight.
12:19Yes, let's do it.
12:20We're going to connect the first build with the second build through the palm promenade,
12:26which goes directly down the middle.
12:28We are putting our palm trees in the center, which was always the point.
12:33We just didn't have time last time.
12:34I'm working on the retro style Route 66 diner, inspired by the classic roof style of mid-century.
12:42Bringing in the Christmas element, the holiday element proves to be a little difficult.
12:46Keep in mind, there isn't any snow as a part of Palm Springs.
12:50Exactly.
12:53What are you working on?
12:55The awnings.
12:56I was not liking that one.
12:58We have way too much going on.
13:01Look, I'm making a cute snowman here.
13:04When the three of us get together, there's a plan, but all three of us have been going
13:10rogue.
13:11We kind of strayed from the plan.
13:12Like right now, I just thought of something that I haven't told you guys.
13:16I'm going to tell you I'm going to do this.
13:17Perfect.
13:18Joelle's candy shop.
13:19Let's call it Gia's candy shop.
13:22It's my youngest baby.
13:23We're using all techniques.
13:27Heimu is making little window display areas.
13:31Joelle is bringing in the chocolate.
13:33I am?
13:34I don't remember.
13:35Yeah.
13:36So since we have to reveal something, I want to showcase some of my pastry chef skills.
13:41So I take the gingerbread crumbs, I mix it with some dark chocolate, and then I press
13:45it in a mold, I let it set, and it's going to act as one of our seats in our bakery.
13:50The special reveal is this ready part of it.
13:53Can I eat it?
13:54Yeah.
13:58It's so good.
14:00Joelle, we like you.
14:01How could you not?
14:02So full of yourself.
14:03Okay, teams, teams, you're halfway through your build.
14:07You're halfway through your build.
14:08Keep your head in the gingerbread.
14:12I think for the shops to do stone on the bottom, we've come up with like an old fish processing
14:21center for where we shop and where we eat.
14:23It looks like three businesses now.
14:24We want to each shop to have a different texture.
14:27We decided we want to do a brick wall.
14:29I know that I want to use a brick impression mat.
14:32See, this is like the sample wall with the stone down below.
14:36We'll put the pier.
14:37Is it going to fit right in that lid right there?
14:39It's a painstaking process, but we were in the bottom from the very beginning, and we're
14:44going for $100,000.
14:45So I need to show all the skills that I can do.
14:50Okay, Lindsay, if you guys do win, what are we going to do with that money?
14:53I'm taking my brother, who has beat colon cancer twice on a special trip.
15:00Amazing.
15:01I love that.
15:01That's what I want to do.
15:02Stop.
15:04Aw.
15:05No, seriously.
15:06Like, I can't do it.
15:07It's happy, though.
15:08She can't cry.
15:09I'm happy.
15:09I'm crying if I'm sad.
15:10She's crying in gingerbread.
15:12It would mean the world to me to win this for my brother.
15:15We're very close, and we always have been.
15:20I'm going to get out of here before I start crying.
15:21Okay, good.
15:22Okay.
15:22We won't tell anyone if you do.
15:24All right, this is the gelatin.
15:26Part of what I'm building is this beautiful bait shop.
15:30Lindsay, look at it.
15:31Oh, I love it.
15:32Do you want to put it over there to check the size?
15:34Sure.
15:37Oh, gosh.
15:38It's big.
15:41Way, way too big.
15:43I think you're going to have to cut it down and make it tiny.
15:48I know.
15:49Breaking down the bait shop, it needs to be done.
15:52It has to fit into the landscape, because you don't want to block what you've already built.
15:56But at the same time, you're like, I just got this thing together.
16:01Oh, look.
16:02I'm so upset right now.
16:07You're under a time clock at that point, and you need to make sure that it's right and get it done.
16:11All that work.
16:12You got it.
16:15Man, it makes me mad.
16:18I'm sorry.
16:19Team Villa, how's it going?
16:23You're smiling.
16:24Yeah.
16:25She loves this kind of stress.
16:27I thrive in chaos.
16:28So what are the structures that you have against me?
16:30We are creating a cafe and bakery and a market where we can shop and eat.
16:35What's each of your motivations for saying yes to this wild competition?
16:40My kids.
16:40So I want to show my kids that I can do this.
16:42I'm trying to prove to myself that I belong here.
16:46Yeah.
16:46You have doubts?
16:47Still a little imposter syndrome.
16:49Aren't you the national championship?
16:50She is.
16:51She still has this imposter syndrome.
16:54We're trying to break her out of that shell.
16:56And your motivation?
16:57I am a mother, and I don't need to go skydiving.
17:00I do this.
17:01How old are your kids?
17:02They are nine and eight, and they are competitive cheerleaders, and so most of my life is spent
17:09traveling around the country for them.
17:11So this one's for me, and you'll make them proud.
17:15I hope so.
17:16All right, good luck.
17:18Good luck.
17:19I've heard some news.
17:20Hold on.
17:21What is this?
17:21Breaking news.
17:22Breaking.
17:23Foghorn alert alert.
17:26What's going on?
17:27Well, I tried to pop off the roof, and then it...
17:30Oh, okay.
17:31We're going to figure it out.
17:32When you're working on a gingerbread piece in a competition, you have to be able to take
17:37a risk and change them sometimes.
17:38This is where Jennifer shines.
17:40Oh, it's sticky.
17:42She takes it apart.
17:43She cuts it completely down every wall, every roof, and resizes the entire building to get
17:48it the right scale.
17:49Look.
17:50Oh, I like it.
17:51Okay, cool.
17:52Okay.
17:53Okay, bakers.
17:54Please step away from your gingerbreads.
17:56We're going to stop the clock.
17:57On these presents are five new story prompts.
18:02Hmm.
18:03Honestly, we've been enjoying the story prompts.
18:06Yeah.
18:06It gives you a little bit of focus, which helps us work better together.
18:10Team Chalet, you won the last challenge, so you get to pick your story prompt first.
18:16And all of the other teams, you all get to pick nothing.
18:23That is because Team Chalet will assign these story prompts to everyone else.
18:29I am excited because we can use whatever help we can get at this point.
18:36This competition is so stiff.
18:38We won it.
18:39We have a forgotten toy under the tree.
18:42A treat for Santa to fill the stocking.
18:46And lastly, a lot to carry.
18:49Okay, Team Chalet, come on up.
18:51We knew exactly the one that we wanted because it fit perfectly into our story.
18:56What are we picking?
18:56I was going to say a treat for Santa.
18:59I like it.
19:00Okay, let's start with Team Brownstone.
19:03You love us.
19:04I don't want to hurt anybody.
19:07It's hard to guess what they need.
19:09It's a bittersweet advantage.
19:11A lot to carry.
19:12Team Brownstone.
19:13Oh, my God.
19:14A lot to carry.
19:15Oh, perfect.
19:16I like that.
19:18Okay, next, Team Coastal.
19:20Okay.
19:20Oh.
19:21All right.
19:22Under the tree.
19:24Oh, okay.
19:24Yay.
19:25Okay, Team Mid-Central.
19:27Yes.
19:29Okay, I think they can figure something out with this.
19:32We are going to give them a forgotten toy.
19:34We'll take that.
19:35Merry Christmas.
19:37So, Team Villa, process of elimination gives you to fill a stocking.
19:43Thank you for the leftovers.
19:45Sometimes you get a prompt and you just go, oh, well, that already kind of fits into our story.
19:49This one really didn't, so thanks, Chalet.
19:53So, judges, any final advice for these teams before the clock starts again?
19:56Your bill is so you can tell a bigger story inspired by your new prompt.
20:02Remember what got you over the hump the last time or what put you in the bottom two.
20:06Really lean in for that story.
20:07Okay, Ginger betters.
20:09Let's restart the clock right now.
20:11We've got three hours left.
20:13Okay.
20:14Your time starts now.
20:18Under the tree.
20:19So, wait, what is our prompt anyway?
20:21Okay, so we have a lot to carry.
20:23You guys, I'm struggling.
20:24Let's brainstorm.
20:25Ten minutes.
20:25Something we learned, I think, from the first challenge is time management is essential.
20:30Yeah.
20:31I'm just going to suggest because I do have a sentimental forgotten toy.
20:36Okay.
20:36My mom made me a teddy bear when I was a baby and the toy was lost.
20:41Oh, my God.
20:42I can't wait to see it.
20:43I'm going to try.
20:44I'm going to hand sculpt Belinda bear using fondant.
20:48I want to add a little white fondant in the brown bear, kind of like tattered a little bit because it's been through some stuff.
20:54I'm going to be finished in a second.
20:56Coming from the bottom, there's absolutely pressure to remain in the competition.
21:00So, I'm just hoping that they see the effort.
21:03That is adorable.
21:05How about someone who's carrying, like, maybe a million bags?
21:09Since we have the animals in our story, maybe a type of animal.
21:12Is he staring at the teddy bear window?
21:14Yes.
21:15So, he's trying to carry his bags, a large candy cane.
21:17To make the candy canes, I cook some maizamal.
21:20I divide it in two.
21:21I make one red and one white.
21:23Once I roll them out, I kind of twist and roll, twist and roll, and then I cut it to fit the size of the candy store.
21:29This is too big.
21:31Can you make me a small one?
21:32And he's going to be holding a candy cane with Jora made.
21:36Do you have an extra basket for stockings?
21:39There's one back there for it.
21:41I was trying to fit fill your stocking in with the shopping and dining area.
21:45So, I thought maybe we could do a can drive at the market, fill your stocking with the canned goods, and we're making the stocking of fondant.
21:54I think we need more here.
21:56Let's do a boat.
21:57Okay.
21:57We'll float our Christmas tree out, and that'll allow us to peer down through that water and see all the fish under the tree.
22:05Let's start.
22:05Let's go.
22:06I am using white gingerbread to make a boat to go out into our water.
22:11All right, so I'm going to use some of this rice cereal treat to get the height that we want our boat.
22:16Then I can lay the gingerbread.
22:18I'm doing the outside of the boat in white gingerbread that can just air dry.
22:23I got to work faster on this.
22:25My son, every time he's, like, waiting for Santa, he, like, makes sure he won't miss to put the milk in the cookies.
22:31So, why don't we have Leo bringing Santa, some milk and cookies.
22:37We have my son here with the tray of cookies and the milk.
22:41I love it.
22:42My other responsibility is the stage where the hidden element is supposed to be.
22:48It's going.
22:49It's a banner that unravels itself, and it says, Grand Opening.
22:53Aline has the motor, and she showed me how it worked.
22:57You okay?
22:58Yeah.
22:58This is, like, crucial for our story.
23:00Don't think that I know how to do this, but I'm jerry-rigging this thing.
23:04I really hope it works.
23:06We got to move on from this so we can get our decorations done.
23:10Caroline is still working on this massive building.
23:14And it's the only building.
23:15It's a huge responsibility.
23:18Oh.
23:20It broke.
23:21What broke?
23:23The roof.
23:23The roof broke?
23:24Yeah.
23:25But we have extra pieces to make another one, right?
23:28Don't talk to me.
23:28I have all this stress on me because it's the only building we have.
23:33So I have to repeat the piece and finish on time.
23:37It's just tough.
23:38Very tough.
23:39Two hours left.
23:40No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
23:42Your builds must be in this room.
23:44Do not crumble.
23:46Too late.
23:49Dad joke.
23:51Anybody going to get done in this time?
23:54Everybody but us.
23:55We're running out of time.
23:57We don't have roofs on our buildings.
23:59We don't have things painted.
24:01And then we have a bunch of buildings under construction.
24:04So we're, it's, we are stressed.
24:08She's moving it.
24:09Can you wait to move that?
24:11I'm not ready for that.
24:12I have to clear this.
24:13Aren't you rushing me like a long time?
24:15No, no, no.
24:16Let's not do that.
24:18Carolina is ready to put the building in place, but I'm not ready for her because there are wires in there.
24:24I don't think she understood what was going on on our side.
24:26You can't just pick it up and put it here.
24:28Okay, just do it.
24:29Then I'll put it.
24:30Tensions are starting to rise and there is this frustration that is palpable.
24:36We need to put Santa in there and then let's glue what we have.
24:39Let's start gluing everything.
24:41We came out of challenge one, like, gliding off the top of the ski slope to now we feel terrible
24:47because we don't know how the execution is going to manifest in judging.
24:53Pour this first, then it will set.
24:55I've started to pour the water to have it kind of run under the dock.
24:59A clear isomalt, a little blue, a little white, and I'm layering it in to give it the actual appearance
25:05that water's going to come over the edge.
25:07It's coming in over here so it doesn't drip down so that it can't hear where the colt is.
25:12Okay, bakers, we have a 20-minute warning.
25:14When that clock strikes 12, your builds must be in the judging room behind me.
25:20Good. Let's go.
25:22A high is going to rotate.
25:23Winning is the only option, right?
25:25We came here to win.
25:26We didn't come here to look for or show off our techniques.
25:29We're using all those techniques for the big win.
25:32Finishing touches on now.
25:34It's Oliver Hudson reporting live from gingerbread land.
25:37Okay, ready?
25:37Slowly.
25:38We have Team Brownstone.
25:40They're ready to push.
25:41They're ready to roll.
25:42It's absolute madness.
25:44Oh, my goodness.
25:45Time is flying.
25:46Time is flying.
25:47It's super intense.
25:48We put a little razzle-dazzle on at the very last minute.
25:51Our mid-century's moving in.
25:52Up, up, up, up, up.
25:54Get your bill to the judging room.
25:56Uno momento, por favor.
25:58All these corners are, like, real bad.
26:00So messy.
26:02Oh, my gosh.
26:03We're putting the seals on the corner, right?
26:05I pull, you push.
26:08Slow, slow, slow.
26:09We got 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
26:21Step away from your bills.
26:24Time is up.
26:25Oh, my God.
26:26Ending a challenge like this does not feel good.
26:29There's this heaviness between us that is very uncomfortable,
26:32and, quite frankly, I don't like it.
26:34I don't think we're going to be safe.
26:39Hello.
26:44Hello.
26:45Everything looks incredibly beautiful,
26:47but judging cannot officially begin
26:50until we meet our surprise judge.
26:53She's a two-time James Beard award-winning chef,
26:56the founder of Milk Bar.
26:58Oh.
26:59And she knows how to create a space
27:01where people don't just shop or eat.
27:03They make memories and connections,
27:06which, hopefully, your gingerbreads do as well.
27:08So, please welcome chef, Christina Tosi.
27:12Hi.
27:14Hello, gingerbreaders.
27:16Hi.
27:17How are you?
27:18I'm super excited.
27:19Christina Tosi is a judge.
27:20I have her book.
27:21I use her recipes.
27:22So, Christina, why are you excited
27:24to be here in gingerbread land?
27:26Making a gingerbread house
27:28every year this time of year
27:29is still a tradition,
27:30and I'm so excited
27:31to see what you all have come up with.
27:34In this challenge,
27:35you had to literally double the size of your lands,
27:38and you had to incorporate the theme
27:40where we shop and eat.
27:42Plus, you had to include a hidden detail.
27:44Now, remember what the judges are looking for.
27:46Originality, clean execution,
27:48strong storytelling,
27:49and a build that flows seamlessly
27:52from what you made before
27:54into what you currently have built.
27:56Mid-Century, you're first.
27:57Let's chat.
27:58Tell us about it.
27:59Okay.
27:59This is our gingerbread version of Palm Springs,
28:02and we have the 1950s retro diner here.
28:07We have vintage cars parked in the back,
28:09and then we have a bakery
28:11and a shopping area with a roll-up door.
28:14So your story prompt was a forgotten toy, right?
28:18Yes.
28:18If you all look over in the park,
28:21there is a teddy bear.
28:23My mom hand-created a teddy bear for me
28:26when I was a child.
28:27I was able to pass that teddy bear
28:29on to my children.
28:30Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina took that bear,
28:34but because of some Christmas miracle,
28:36it ended up in our story.
28:38In Palm Springs.
28:39Belinda Bear, which is named after my mom,
28:42is our forgotten toy.
28:43It's really nice.
28:44What's making you emotional, by the way?
28:46The story about the bear.
28:49Sorry, you lost your bear.
28:52Okay, let's see the big reveal.
28:54All right.
28:54The hidden detail.
28:56Oh.
28:58So inside, we've got some elves partying.
29:01They came with Mrs. Claus,
29:04and they are getting the party started.
29:08Great job.
29:10You not only hit these new challenges,
29:12but you went back.
29:13You've picked up a lot of our comments,
29:15so now to see this promenade of palm trees.
29:17You did a great job at that.
29:19You know, Michael and I talked about
29:21making it feel like Christmas there,
29:23and I love how you guys did it,
29:24because it wasn't with the traditional,
29:26like, red and green.
29:27It's gold.
29:28I found myself truly getting pulled in
29:31and lost in this mid-century modern
29:34and palm springs world.
29:35I am really so in love with the palm trees
29:38and everything else.
29:39Thank you very much.
29:40Thank you, guys.
29:41Okay.
29:41Good job.
29:41Good job.
29:43Next up, Team Brownstone.
29:46I think we have accomplished a lot.
29:48Like, we have put in a lot of details
29:50because we don't want to be the first team going home.
29:54So welcome to our brownstone village.
29:58On Christmas Eve,
29:59our zoo animals get together around the tree
30:02for the tree lighting,
30:03but of course, right after,
30:04we want to shop.
30:06We want to eat.
30:07We have this wonderful, beautiful shopping mall.
30:10We have Gia's candy shop.
30:13What was your story prompt?
30:14A lot to carry.
30:16Our little bear over here,
30:17he's carrying all these bags,
30:19and then he sees a teddy bear in the window,
30:22and he drops everything
30:24just to go at that teddy bear.
30:26And what about your hidden element?
30:28We wanted to give you something to eat.
30:30Oh, my gosh.
30:30And feel free to take...
30:31It smells amazing in there,
30:32like a real bakery.
30:33Your bakery.
30:35Take a seat.
30:36Oh.
30:40Wow.
30:41Oh, fun texture.
30:42Oh.
30:42Yeah.
30:43Got the crunch.
30:43Very nice.
30:44So that's what we got.
30:45Do you see how excited I am
30:47because you gave me a tasty bite of something?
30:49You're tugging on the heartstrings
30:51of, for me,
30:51what it feels like
30:52to be in the Christmas spirit.
30:54And I love that you listened
30:56to some of our criticism.
30:57Previously, we asked you
30:59to think about moving buildings.
31:00You did that.
31:02But you all need a master plan.
31:04For me,
31:05it feels more like a hodgepodge town
31:07of really great ideas,
31:09and I'm not sure
31:10that it's all
31:10one gingerbread village yet.
31:13Thank you, Team Brownstone.
31:14Thank you, guys.
31:15Great job.
31:16Great to meet you.
31:17I think our piece is us.
31:19And I feel we have
31:19a cluttered aesthetic, almost.
31:22I think it should win.
31:25Team Chalet,
31:26let's talk about the build.
31:27Welcome to the Sugar Pines
31:29Key Resort
31:30where we shop and dine.
31:31And we have our plaza
31:33to continue also
31:34with our idea
31:35of gathering people.
31:37And what was your story prompt?
31:38A gift for Santa.
31:40So we also have my son.
31:42Mmm.
31:43He's bringing a cookie
31:45to Santa.
31:46I can smell the gingerbread.
31:49As our hidden element
31:51that is on the stage,
31:53Arlene is going to show you
31:54that we have our banner.
31:56Okay.
31:57Okay.
31:59Down.
32:01No, that's up.
32:02Now down.
32:03Is this a grand opening?
32:04This is the hidden element.
32:05It doesn't work.
32:06Wow.
32:07Oh, man.
32:08Maybe we should have practiced
32:10it a few times.
32:11But you did take some risks there
32:13with having something
32:13that rode.
32:14I get very frustrated
32:15when mechanical elements
32:16don't work.
32:17You know, sometimes you get
32:18thrown curveballs
32:19and you got to try
32:20to work with it.
32:21Well, first of all,
32:22I love the differentiation
32:24between the colors
32:25of gingerbread
32:25and just how it really
32:27jumps out.
32:28You all are nailing
32:29the style.
32:30On the roof,
32:31there were some calculation
32:33issues on some of the corners.
32:35You're trying to get
32:35everything to line up
32:36and it is not an easy task.
32:38Oh.
32:39I have to say,
32:41we sort of eat
32:41with our eyes first
32:42and my eyes are so happy.
32:45But I don't want to feel
32:46like there's a giant
32:47200-room ski resort
32:49in the back
32:50unless there's a lot more
32:52life and texture to it.
32:54Let there be
32:55a little bit more
32:56imprecision.
32:58I want more of you
33:00in this village.
33:02You're getting emotional.
33:05I would not be here
33:06if it weren't for
33:08those two figures up there.
33:09In front of Best Restaurant,
33:11that's my family's restaurant.
33:13That's your family's restaurant.
33:13They had a soul food restaurant
33:14for over 45 years
33:16and my work ethic,
33:18my drive,
33:18my resourcefulness,
33:19that all comes from them.
33:21To have them in this space
33:22with me in this space
33:24is full of soap.
33:26I'll tell you,
33:27you're motivating
33:27a lot of young women
33:29who look just like you
33:30right now.
33:30Kudos to this team.
33:33Thank you guys
33:34so much.
33:35Thank you so much.
33:35Really beautiful.
33:39Team Villa.
33:41This is our
33:42Mediterranean
33:43gingerbread village.
33:45This is where we shop
33:46and where we eat.
33:47Right here,
33:47we have our bakery.
33:48In the front here,
33:49we have where
33:50everybody kind of gathers.
33:51This is more
33:52where these people
33:53really live.
33:55So our story prompt
33:56was fill your stockings.
33:58So our market
33:59is having our
33:59community food drive.
34:01So you can grab a stocking
34:02and fill it up
34:03while you shop.
34:03Great.
34:04And what about
34:05the hidden element?
34:05We wanted to show you
34:06what it looks like
34:07in the morning
34:08when the bakery
34:08gets open.
34:09Let's open up shop, Gail.
34:11Oh my gosh.
34:13The pastries.
34:15Very nice.
34:16You know,
34:16you're a hidden element.
34:17That was a nice approach.
34:19I also want to give you
34:20another nod
34:20to how you're
34:21using stucco
34:22as a material.
34:24Going back
34:24and approaching
34:25some of our
34:26previous comments,
34:27that roof
34:28still confuses me.
34:29I don't know
34:30what that material is.
34:31I think we're all
34:32a little anxious
34:33for water
34:34because the Mediterranean
34:36is a body of water.
34:37I'm with Gail
34:38on the water
34:39and I've lost myself
34:41in what you've built
34:42but I haven't quite
34:43been convinced
34:44that it's the gingerbread
34:46Christmas holiday
34:47time of year.
34:48Okay.
34:49Team Villa,
34:50thank you guys so much.
34:51Amazing.
34:52Good job.
34:53Nothing that they've
34:53really said
34:54we disagree with
34:55but then I think
34:56next to the other four
34:57it might just seem
34:59like it's not enough.
35:00Team Coastal.
35:01Hello, team.
35:02Hello.
35:03Welcome to our
35:04Coastal Village
35:05where we eat
35:06and shop.
35:07It is an old
35:08fish warehouse
35:09converted to shops.
35:11We've included
35:12a bakery
35:12and our
35:13merry time market
35:15and no coastal
35:16shopping community
35:17is complete
35:18without the old
35:19bake shop.
35:20And do you have
35:20a hidden element?
35:21If you want to
35:22step forward.
35:23Yes.
35:23We give you
35:24a little window
35:25to undersea life.
35:27Picture yourself
35:28at night looking
35:28under the docks
35:29and seeing what you
35:30see underneath the docks
35:32at night and by day.
35:33Our story prompt
35:34was under the tree
35:35so who best
35:37to deliver gifts
35:38from under the tree
35:39than Santa
35:40and he had to
35:41deliver by boat.
35:42You are more creative
35:43with the edible
35:45textures and spirit
35:46of your coastal
35:47gingerbread village
35:48than anyone else
35:49in this kitchen
35:50and it's fascinating.
35:52Each time you get closer,
35:53each time you turn a corner
35:54you see more details
35:55but then how do we
35:56start to balance
35:57this piece out
35:58as it continues to grow
35:59because your eye
36:00wants to go everywhere
36:01but we still need
36:02a moment of solace
36:03and then go back
36:04and enjoy
36:05all of the fun.
36:06We do love
36:06the little perched seals.
36:08Again, it gives,
36:10there's just so much
36:10dimension.
36:11And the blue
36:12is maybe just
36:13a little too
36:14cartoony comic book blue.
36:17Thank you guys.
36:19I was glad
36:19that they did recognize
36:21all the love
36:22that literally goes
36:23into each piece
36:25of gingerbread.
36:25We feel very validated.
36:27It is very personal
36:28to us.
36:29Okay, thank you,
36:30gingerbreaders.
36:31Now, please head back
36:32to your stations.
36:34Emotions are still
36:35very high.
36:36Everybody's still
36:36tenderhearted,
36:37you know,
36:38and I think we're
36:39just really nervous
36:40because we don't know
36:41which direction
36:42this is going to go.
36:48All right, guys,
36:49let's go down the line.
36:50I love how Team Mid-Century
36:52brought Christmas in
36:53with very few elements,
36:54those translucent trees.
36:57I'm with you, Gail.
36:57It feels like it's Christmas
36:59in the desert.
37:00You so tired.
37:02It's that good.
37:03For me, Team Coastal
37:04kind of shouldn't work,
37:06but somehow it really
37:07appeals to my heart.
37:09That said,
37:10the blue water,
37:11they're going to have
37:12to improve upon that.
37:13I wish it had
37:14some green undertone
37:15and you don't fret
37:16over it too much.
37:17Team Brownstone's
37:18greatest asset
37:20is that they take risks.
37:22But it's not coming together.
37:23It's too much.
37:24There's no editor.
37:26Let's not be hard
37:26on ourselves, okay?
37:27We're doing great.
37:30When I look at Team Villas,
37:31I don't feel enough life.
37:33The technique
37:34of a gingerbread village
37:35100% is here in Team Villa.
37:37The emotion
37:38of a gingerbread village,
37:40question mark.
37:41Exactly.
37:42It is very basic,
37:43very plain right now.
37:44We need to make the water.
37:46I just hope we get the chance.
37:47Team Chalet.
37:48Team Chalet.
37:49What are we thinking?
37:50As always,
37:50it's perfect.
37:52That said,
37:52I do think it's too perfect.
37:54I'm not sure we're getting
37:55where we shop,
37:56where we eat.
37:57It did have some challenges
37:58with how the roof came together.
38:00You guys felt
38:01that I was taking over everything,
38:02which I didn't want to do.
38:04We each have different processes,
38:06and everybody is trying their best
38:08to merge those processes
38:09to collaborate and work together.
38:11And it is a challenge.
38:19Hello, folks.
38:21Okay, teams,
38:21let's gather around.
38:22Teams,
38:24it's time to reveal
38:27who brought the holiday magic
38:29and who is going home.
38:35Team Coastal and Team Mid-Century,
38:37please step forward.
38:38I assume that Oliver
38:40is going to announce
38:41that our team and Team Coastal
38:43are in the bottom two.
38:45You know,
38:45you just don't know
38:46the way the gingerbread cookie
38:47is going to crumble.
38:48These two teams,
38:49unfortunately,
38:50you've spent a lot of time
38:51on the bottom.
38:52But in this challenge,
38:55you're the top two teams.
38:57Congratulations.
38:59What?
39:01The reason both of you
39:02are up here, right,
39:03it's this balance of technique
39:06and heart and humanity,
39:08and that's for everyone to hear.
39:09Now we need to reveal
39:11who won
39:12because you will have
39:13an advantage
39:13in the next challenge.
39:15The winner of this challenge is
39:17Team Coastal.
39:22Congratulations!
39:28The tears flowed.
39:30In shock, awe.
39:32We just couldn't believe it.
39:34We were just elated.
39:35Elated.
39:36That was a roller coaster.
39:37We really went from being
39:39in the bottom half
39:40to the top half,
39:40and I'm so proud
39:41of my teammates.
39:44Team Chalet,
39:45the judges have decided
39:46that you are safe
39:48and still in this competition.
39:51I'm grateful
39:52that we're moving
39:53into the next round,
39:54but this experience
39:55has been a huge reality check
39:56that we need to communicate better
39:58if we're going to do better
39:59in the next challenge.
40:00Okay, so unfortunately,
40:01that means Team Brownstone
40:03and Team Villa,
40:04please step forward.
40:06Team Villa,
40:07I still feel like
40:09I don't feel Christmas
40:10in your village.
40:11The judges have made it
40:12very clear that they want
40:13more Christmas,
40:14more holidays,
40:15so we can't help
40:16but feel a little discouraged
40:18by the position
40:19that we are in.
40:20Team Brownstone,
40:22your culinary skills
40:23through the roof.
40:25What your team is lacking
40:26is the ability
40:27to come together
40:28and look
40:29as if one person
40:31is working on your structure.
40:32I do agree with Michael
40:34that we need
40:36one person to lead
40:37and neither one
40:38of the three of us
40:39was that one person.
40:40Yeah.
40:41Now comes the hardest part.
40:43Who is leaving
40:44Gingerbread Man?
40:45The team that is leaving us today,
40:48unfortunately,
40:48is Team Brownstone.
40:55I knew it.
40:56I knew it.
40:57It's okay.
40:58We got eliminated.
41:00We did.
41:01It just felt like
41:02such a blessing
41:03going through this entire journey
41:04with these two.
41:06You guys made me so proud.
41:07Thank you so much
41:08for everything.
41:09We made a lot
41:09of wonderful friends.
41:11Team Brownstone,
41:12thank you so much.
41:13We're going to miss you.
41:14Whether you win
41:15or you lose,
41:16it feeds those
41:17creative juices.
41:18That's why I'm here
41:19and if I'm able
41:20to do my art,
41:21it's a win.
41:23And so,
41:24the story ends
41:24for one team.
41:26But the story continues
41:27in Gingerbread Land.
41:28For this new corner
41:30of your world,
41:30something in your build
41:32must move.
41:33Are you being for real?
41:36There's some crazy stuff
41:37in here.
41:38You ready for some movement?
41:39Oh!
41:40Hey!
41:41Wow!
41:42There's so many
41:43darling things.
41:44I freaking love it.
41:47Oh!
41:48This is a critical moment.
41:51It came off the real.
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