Giant Gingerbread House Becomes One of Texas’ Hottest Restaurant Reservations

Eating Inside a Life-Size Holiday Wonderland is No Longer Just an Elf Dream

By Megan Forgey // Dec 18, 2017

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This lifesize Gingerbread House is good for more than peeking into. You can actually eat inside the gingerbread house.

The giant Gingerbread House fits up to seven people for the ultimate holiday meal.

Stella San Jac chef Martin Wilda enjoys a moment in the giant gingerbread house.

Who doesn't want to eat inside a giant gingerbread house?

Dining in a life-sized gingerbread house may seem like merely an elf’s dream. But Westin Downtown Austin hotel’s restaurant, Stella San Jac, is making that dream a reality through the month of December, with a life-sized gingerbread house that guests can reserve for the ultimate holiday dining experience.

The festive idea came from the hotel’s general manager, who knew he wanted a grand representation for Christmas, and collaborated on the idea with Stella San Jac’s executive chef Martin Wilda. Wilda, formerly of Sway, is celebrating his first holiday season at Stella San Jac by creating a beautiful (and likely fragrant) representation of childhood wonder.

The gingerbread structure can fit seven common people comfortably, more if elves are involved. Taking five days to build, the construction was a lot like building a normal gingerbread house, just on a much more massive scale.

“Bricks” of gingerbread were baked at Stella San Jac and formed into a house using icing as glue, and topped with candy. The hotel’s engineering team and front office manager designed the structure, the culinary team made the gingerbread and candy, and the sales and front desk teams decorated the inside. While it’s not likely guests will be able to take a bite out of the house after December due to health regulations, I won’t tell if you don’t.

Guests dining in the Texas-sized gingerbread house can enjoy Stella San Jac’s regular menu which features a spin on some classics like #16 Biscuits served with whipped honey butter, a fried avocado salad dressed with Cholula Ranch, Berkshire pork chops topped with chorizo cream, and more. Festive holiday drinks like specialized hot chocolates will also be available.

Stella San Jac’s cozy gingerbread dining experience is available for breakfast, brunch, and dinner reservations by booking in advance through the hotel. Ten percent of the gingerbread house dining sales will be donated to Back on My Feet Austin, an organization combatting homelessness through the power of the running, community support, and housing resources.