Home » Food Network Star Karen Portaleo Makes 1,500-Pound Gingerbread Replica of Mardi Gras Cruise Ship

Food Network Star Karen Portaleo Makes 1,500-Pound Gingerbread Replica of Mardi Gras Cruise Ship

By  //  November 27, 2019

Comprised of 130 pounds of flour, 10 pounds of cinnamon, and 50 gallons of icing

Atlanta culinary artist and Food Network star Karen Portaleo christens her 23-foot-long, 1,500-pound gingerbread replica of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship, the Mardi Gras, during a recent naming ceremony at Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall. (Port Canaveral image)

Mardi Gras is scheduled to arrive at its new home at Port Canaveral’s Terminal 3 in October 2020

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – Atlanta culinary artist and Food Network star Karen Portaleo christens her 23-foot-long, 1,500-pound gingerbread replica of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship, the Mardi Gras, during a recent naming ceremony at Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall.

Comprised of 130 pounds of flour, 10 pounds of cinnamon, and 50 gallons of icing, the massive confection is Portaleo’s representation of the innovative, LNG-powered vessel which arrives at port Canaveral on Oct. 15, 2020.

Complete with open decks, running lights, a water park and even a working replica of BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, the gingerbread replica will be on display at the mall through Dec. 24.

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Carnival also made a $10,000 donation to the Immune Deficiency Foundation, the charity of choice of Portaleo, who spent 250 hours creating the gingerbread vessel and served as godmother during the ceremony.

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest and most innovative cruise ship, the Mardi Gras, is scheduled to arrive at its new home at Port Canaveral in October 2020.

Port Canaveral is busy preparing the new Cruise Terminal 3 for her arrival.

Comprised of 130 pounds of flour, 10 pounds of cinnamon, and 50 gallons of icing, the massive confection is Portaleo’s representation of the innovative, LNG-powered vessel which arrives at port Canaveral on Oct. 15, 2020. (Port Canaveral image)
Complete with open decks, running lights, a water park and even a working replica of BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, the gingerbread replica will be on display at the mall through Dec. 24. (Port Canaveral image)
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