Pastry chef goes Willy Wonka for the holidays

Pastry chef Andy De La Cruz prepares small panels of gingerbread for this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house inspired by the film character Willy Wonka.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

Nov. 18, 2016 2:56 PM PT

Andy De La Cruz thinks a chocolate factory replica at the Island Hotel, where he has been creating sweet edible displays, is appropriate in remembrance of actor Gene Wilder.

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An artist’s rendering of pastry chef Andy De La Cruz’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Isabel Rangel, chef Andy De la Cruz, Reina Rodriguez and Elizabeth Mendoza, from left, are building this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house inspired by the film character Willy Wonka.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Pastry chef Andy De La Cruz checks the details for this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house in the hotel’s workshop. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Pastry chef Andy De La Cruz prepares small panels of gingerbread for this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Pastry chef Andy De La Cruz prepares small panels of gingerbread for this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Pastry chef Andy De La Cruz, right, works with Reina Rodriquez on this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Reina Rodriquez works on this year’s Island Hotel Chocolate Factory gingerbread house in the hotel’s kitchen. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)