JOPLIN, Mo. — Baking a gingerbread house can be a complex project for a culinary professional and an even taller task for a teenager making one for the first time.

But that didn’t stop juniors and seniors in the Franklin Tech Culinary Arts program from giving it a go today.

It’s all part of the annual Holiday Open House and Gingerbread Showcase. Students first had to design the structures, bake them and then decorate them.

A total of 17 houses were judged by faculty and staff at Franklin Tech. Culinary arts instructors also helped the teams with tips learned from previous years.

“It’s so important because our community members are the ones attending these events, so it’s just more important that we get their input so we’re doing something that they want rather than something we think they want,” said Recreation Program Manager Ashten Graham.

Suggestions will be taken through the end of the month — and can be emailed or posted to the department’s Facebook page.