Chef Alan Pirhofer Creates a Holiday Dream House  

Visitors to Arrowhead Restaurant & Bar, 26w151 Butterfield Road in Wheaton, are invited to view Chef Alan Pirhofer’s 2011 gingerbread house, on display this holiday season.

Chef Alan tells the story of the creation of the gingerbread house, as part of the display:

“Just after Halloween, my daughter, Nola, said, ‘Dad, all this candy reminds me of the gingerbread house. You know, this year we should build an even better house!’

“Building Arrowhead’s gingerbread house has become a family tradition for me, Nola and my wife, Marybeth. We talk about it for weeks, brain-storming, planning, writing lists of candy we need and testing recipes for better icing. Nola and I went on a hunt to three different candy stores to find what we needed. (For a ten year-old and her Dad, who both love candy, this is the toughest part of the job.)

“A week before the house goes on display, I start the heavy construction. I bake the gingerbread, cut and trim all the pieces, then assemble the house itself. For the decoration phase, I bring in the creative and talented design team of Marybeth and Nola. On a Sunday morning, we get up early and head over to Arrowhead. Decorating the gingerbread house takes a full day with a break for hot cider and lunch, of course. Altogether, creating the gingerbread house requires 16 hours of baking, cutting and building, then another 9 hours of decorating.

“My family and I hope you enjoy the fantasy of the gingerbread house. We look forward to sharing one of our favorite holiday traditions with all of you for years to come.

“Happy Holidays from Chef Alan, Chef Marybeth and Chef Nola!”

Sweets used in this year’s house:

25lbs. Gingerbread, 10lbs. Icing (7 colors), Frosted Mini Wheats, Grapenuts, Pretzel Rods, Nerds, Chocolate Rocks, Chocolate Nonpareils, Santa’s Coal Gum, Peeps, 3 flavors Jolly Ranchers, Necco Wafers, Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds, Chuckles, 2 kind of Candy Canes, Dots, Gum Drops, Rock Candy, 2 flavors Star Mints, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Twizzlers, Sour Patch Ribbons, 3 flavors Jelly Beans, 2 flavors Jellied Fruit, Caramel Bullseye, Hersey’s Kisses, Candy Cane Sprinkles, Marshmallow Ice Cream, Mini Pillow Mints, M&M’s, Candy Lights, Candy Ornaments, York Peppermints, Gelatin Sheets, Large Sugar Crystals, 2 Giant Gumballs and a lot of love!

For more information on holiday specials and events at Arrowhead Restaurant & Bar, visit www.arrowheadgolfclub.org. For lunch or dinner reservations, please call 630-510-5070.