Debbie Wingham, 41, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire spent two weeks crafting the metre-tall gingerbread house for a client’s marriage proposal, and it’s worth a staggering £6.3 million
A baker, known as the “confectioner to the rich and powerful”, has whipped up the world’s priciest gingerbread house, valued at a jaw-dropping £6.3 million.
Debbie Wingham, 41, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, dedicated two weeks to crafting the Dolce and Gabbana-inspired metre-tall treat for a client’s marriage proposal.
The showstopper of the house is a loose pink diamond worth £3.1million – joined by three other individual pink diamonds, each valued at £1 million – which takes centre stage. Ginger biscuits form the structure of the house, with icing sugar, chocolate, sprinkles, and fondant used for the decorations.
Ms Wingham even created edible mannequins out of rice paper to make the house mirror the iconic Dolce and Gabbana store in Puerto Banus, Spain. The former fashion designer and mum-of-three has an impressive portfolio, having made life-sized edible versions of celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Ru Paul in the past.
She only started baking professionally in 2015, but by 2018, she was making international headlines for a six-foot-tall, million-dollar wedding cake unveiled at Dubai’s World Trade Centre as part of its BRIDE showcase. She said: “I have made sugar art pieces for many clients from royals to celebrities and for occasions from bar mitzvahs to weddings and big corporate brand launches, but this was my first proposal confection. I’m delighted that my client is now going into the new year with a fiance.”
Ms Wingham confessed that the unique commission had its nerve-wracking moments, particularly concerning the proposal’s success. She expressed her relief and joy, saying, “It is always rewarding when you deliver a creation but this one had high stakes as it was a proposal confection.”, reports the Mirror.
“I don’t think I have ever been so nervous. Normally I worry about the transit of the sugar creations but this time I was thinking, ‘I hope she says yes’. A confection with massive responsibility, I was delighted when they notified me she said yes.”
The couple, now engaged, are in the process of designing a bespoke ring and earrings set with the same diamonds, which they plan to unveil at their New Year’s Eve engagement celebration.