Catering company Epicure unveiled its third annual gingerbread village in Melbourne Town Hall earlier this week.

The exhibition forms a part of Melbourne’s Christmas calendar, attracting kids of all ages to admire the sweet creation in return for a gold coin donation, with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Australia.

Under the guidance of Epicure’s executive pastry chef Deniz Karaca, a team of 12 and a brigade of volunteers worked for over 2,000 hours to bring the snow village vision to life.

Karaca said, “So far we’ve baked 500 kilograms of gingerbread, used 300 kilograms of royal icing and 120 kilograms of marzipan. 800 miniature Christmas trees have been painstakingly crafted by hand to provide the festive backdrop. It’s been a mammoth but exhilarating collaborative effort.”

The village houses iconic Melbourne landmarks such as the Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Luna Park. A Christmas train snakes its way around these venues plus an inspired collection of other whimsical creations including a pint-sized zoo, which is new to the 2013 installation

The gingerbread village is open for viewing until December 24 at Melbourne Town Hall, corner Little Collins & Swanston Streets, Melbourne.