Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore has announced a cookie dessert competition among chefs in Monmouth and Ocean counties to raise support which will provide girls in need access to Girl Scout leadership experiences.
“TopCookie: A Girl Scout Cookie Competition” will take place on Feb. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park.
The fundraising event will feature desserts by local chefs using iconic Girl Scout cookies, including Do-Si-Dos, Tagalongs, Samoas, S’mores, Trefoils, Thin Mints, and a new flavor that will be introduced in January, according to a press release.
“Girl Scouts get their first taste of entrepreneurship from the Girl Scout Cookie Program,” said Eileen M. Higgins, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.
“We are pleased to introduce a fun way to highlight this signature program, which has become the largest girl-led business in the world and make it possible to raise funds so more local girls can benefit from Girl Scout activities,” Higgins said.
Guests and celebrity judges will sample the tasty desserts and cast their vote for their favorite concoction. The community is invited to weigh-in on their favorite participating restaurant by purchasing votes, according to the press release.
Restaurants vying for the People’s Choice Award and TopCookie title include McLoone’s Restaurants; Nicholas Creamery in Atlantic Highlands and Fair Haven; Ocean County Center for Culinary Arts Training, Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis, Little Egg Harbor; Ohana Grille, Lavallette; and Talula’s, Asbury Park.
Popular restauranteurs and philanthropists Steve Bidgood, owner of Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, and Tim McLoone of McLoone’s Restaurants, will be emcees at the cookie competition, according to the press release.
Celebrity judges include world-renowned Chef David Burke of DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke in Sea Bright; Patty Caneda, owner of the Cuban- fusion restaurant Caneda’s White Rooster in Toms River; Jeremy Grunin, of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation; Tom Hayes, director of Consumer and Community Relations at New Jersey Natural Gas; and Carol Stillwell, chief executive officer of Stillwell-Hansen, Inc.
Tickets are $75 and include tastings of dessert entries, light dinner fare and bowling. A cash bar will be available. For event information, sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit gsfun.org/topcookie, call 800-785-2090 or e-mail topcookie@gsfun.org.
