ASBURY PARK, NJ (January 12, 2023) – Cookie season is an exciting annual event for Girl Scouts across the nation. “There’s more to Girl Scout cookies than what’s in the box,” said Heather Coburn, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore CEO. “When Girl Scouts run their own cookie business, they are part of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world.”
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, serving over 10,000 members in Monmouth and Ocean counties, kicked off Cookie Season and the 4th Annual TopCookie Dessert Competition at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club on the Asbury Park boardwalk this morning.
Local chefs are partnering with Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore for the 4th Annual dessert competition on March 8th, which is appropriately, International Day of the Woman, from 6-9PM at Asbury Lanes. Local chefs will compete to claim the coveted title of TopCookie by creating a special dessert featuring an iconic Girl Scout cookie. Plus, competitors have the chance to be chosen by public voting as The People’s Choice winner. Emmy Award winning journalist Kimberly Kravitz is EMCEE of the competition.
Chefs vying to be named TopCookie and People’s Choice are:
Apple Street Kitchen, Tinton Falls – Do-si-dos
Coney Waffle, Long Branch - Tagalongs
Dune Donuts and Bagels, Spring Lake – Trefoils
La La’s Gourmet Cookies, Brick Township – Thin Mints
The Loaded Spoon, Freehold – Girl Scout S’mores
Celebrity Chef and James Beard Award Winner, restauranteur and cookbook author David Burke announced he will again be a judge for this popular event.
Burke announced that he and his team at Dixie Lee Bakery will be creating a one-of-a-kind dessert made with the new Raspberry Rally for guests at the TopCookie event. This new addition to the cookie season is the sister cookie to the very popular Thin Mints, infused with raspberry flavor instead of mint and dipped in the same delicious chocolate coating. The sale of this brand-new cookie is on-line only and gives girls the chance to develop new skills in e-commerce and entrepreneurship.
Chef Burke has the difficult task of tasting the delicious desserts created by the competitors. Along with Chef Burke, judges will include Lori Draz, Special Features Director, Journal Magazines and Carla Bushey, cookbook author and co-owner & co-founder of Oak Hill Farms.
The restaurants are encouraging their fans to vote for them for the People’s Choice Awards at www.gsFun.org/TopCookie.
TopCookie Competition is made possible by the generous sponsors who believe in the Girl Scout Mission including Thin Mint Sponsor, The Citta Foundation and Tagalong Sponsors, ENCON, Drs. Amy and Eric Eschinger, and Pine Belt Cars. Sponsorship opportunities, ticket sales and voting can be found at www.gsFun.org/TopCookie.
Ameila Caverly, owner Booskerdoo and TopCookie 2022 Champion shared her process with competitors and suggested, “Involve your team, get creative, and most importantly, have fun.”
But the real winner is every girl who will benefit from the proceeds of this friendly competition, which supports access to programs and services provided by Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.
Tickets for the event are $85 and include tastings of dessert entries, light dinner fare, cash bar and bowling.
For event information, sponsorship opportunities and tickets, email Valerie Ryan at vryan@gsfun.org, or call (800) 785-2090.
Coburn announced that Girl Scouts are eagerly accepting cookie orders. “From saving for a Girl Scout-led trip, contributing to their troop goals, or supporting community service, these girls are driven, and they achieve! We are proud of our girls who continue to do amazing things to make the world a better place. And it all starts with a box of Girl Scout Cookies.”
For more information about the TopCookie competition or Girl Scout Cookies, visit gsFun.org/topcookie or gsFun.org/cookies.
