Vincenza Smith looks around the kitchen in her Ridgeway farmhouse in the late afternoon on a cold Monday in December, surveying weeks’ worth of edible art.
It’s the stuff off fairy tales – a dozen elaborate gingerbread houses, adorned with candies and pretty frosting in an array of colours. There are also smaller houses waiting to be decorated, suitable for place settings or ornaments to deck those halls (and trees) this Christmas.
Where most of us would see a kitchen, Smith sees an art studio, a place where she lovingly crafts her creations. Royal icing replaces paint, and candies, cookies, sprinkles, and sparkles are everywhere.
She’s been a busy elf in her kitchen studio for weeks now, planning her weekend sale at her house to raise funds for Birchway Niagara. While Smith’s gingerbread houses may be the showstopper, there are plenty of other international tasty treats on offer: sugar cookies and chocolate dipped pretzels, French macarons, Italian pizzelle and biscotti, and baskets filled with beautifully wrapped Scottish shortbread.
While much of the work is done, there is still plenty to do. With days to go, Smith is decorating small gingerbread houses. There are macarons to fill and pretzels to dip. A hot chocolate bar is laid out, ready for guests to enjoy while they browse.
Tomorrow and Sunday, she will open the doors to her kitchen studio to showcase the tables of Christmas goodies. By Sunday evening, she hopes for an empty space and a full register to support the cause.
Smith made her first gingerbread house when she was 13 and it’s become an important part of her Christmas tradition.
“This Gingerbread Open House is something that I have enjoyed doing in the past with my daughter, Carlie Smith, when she owned a farm and had a Christmas Market,” says Smith. “She has since sold the farm, and I wanted to continue the tradition of donating the proceeds of my baked goods to Birchway Niagara. We have been donating funds to this cause for many years because of the support that it gives to women and children in need as they remove themselves from abusive homes. This service enables women to get on their feet again, and funds from our sales will go towards providing clothing, mental health services, shelter and more. It is a cause very near and dear to my heart.”
Smith has been a culinary teacher at Niagara Catholic since 2012. She’s spent the past four of her dozen years at Notre Dame College School. Before that, the Red Seal chef worked in resorts and restaurants, formerly owing her own business and catering company. Smith loves desserts and decided to broaden her knowledge from appetizers and mains to the afters, and became a certified baker and pâtissier chef, too.
“As far back as I can remember, I always liked being in the kitchen cooking and baking, playing with Play-Doh and turning it into food, and using my Easy-Bake Oven and creating some tasty treats, too,” she said. And I love food! I love how it brings people together.
She also loves sharing her knowledge with students. Before joining Niagara Catholic, Smith was an instructor at the Niagara Culinary Institute.
“I found I loved passing on my love for cooking,” she says. “It’s a skillset that everyone can use to take care of themselves as well as loved ones. For me, cooking is a lot of fun – it’s not just a means to an end. I don’t just cook to feed my body, it’s about the whole experience rom choosing the foods to preparing them, tasting them, and serving them, whether it’s to family, friends, or guests. I want that each dish is made lovingly.
“It’s very special when someone invites me to cook for them. That’s how I feel about my students. They don’t have to take this course, it’s optional, so I want [them] to learn not to be afraid to make mistakes, experience being in a kitchen, experience different foods, and each other as individuals, and share what they are learning and making with others.”
If you go: Vincenza’s Nest and Table is located at 421 Ridge Road N in Ridgeway (entrance of Willson Road) and the doors will be open from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Small gingerbread houses cost $10-12, and larger ones cost $35, $40, or $45, depending on the design. The hot chocolate bar is by donation. Cash and e-transfer accepted.