A hotel in Dubai has built a replica of the world's tallest tower out of gingerbread. The completely edible model is the creation of The H Dubai, and took more than 250 hours of work to finish. Clocking in at almost 5 metres, the feat of gingerbread engineering is on display in the hotel's main lobby. It was created and sculpted by the hotel's culinary team, led by chef Nilesh Darekar and pastry chef Heirida Marica. Planning for the display model began back in October. Crafted out of only gingerbread and icing, the secret to the delicious-smelling piece of gingerbread architecture is the icing, which is key to the tower's structural integrity. "The Burj Khalifa is iconic to Dubai and a symbol of hope, progress and prosperity. During a challenging year, we wanted to make December a month to remember for our guests and we thought it would be a great way to express the property's holiday spirit, " said chef Nilesh. In true Burj Khalifa style, the structure has miniature supercar models parked around its gingerbread entrance. It's also decorated with nutcracker soldiers, Christmas trees, wreaths and winter garlands. It's not the first time that the team at the hotel have been creative with gingerbread. Last year, they crafted a <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/family/dubai-hotel-builds-eight-metre-long-sheikh-zayed-road-from-gingerbread-and-chocolate-1.950865">gingerbread interpretation of Sheikh Zayed Road.</a> As well as the Burj Khalifa model, The H Dubai has erected a six-metre tall Christmas tree and created a Santa's corner. The models are part of the winter celebrations happening at The H Dubai throughout December, when there will also be Christmas brunches, ugly Christmas jumper competitions and other festive activities. Impressive as it is, The H Dubai is not the first hotel to render the Burj Khalifa in biscuit form. The Address Dubai Marina erected a 14-metre tall gingerbread version of the tower at Dubai International Airport in 2017.
