“As a female business owner, I can speak firsthand about the importance of all the skills learned by young Girl Scouts.”
“The participating chefs will use their culinary prowess to re-imagine these classic Girl Scout Cookies into a delicious dessert and feature it on their menus throughout the entire month of February. A portion of the proceeds will support Girl Scouting in Arizona,” said Mary Mitchell, interim co-CEO for GSACPC.
There is a voting component to the Challenge. Starting Feb. 1, and through month’s end, the public can visit girlscoutsaz.org/dessertchallenge to vote for their favorite dessert. At the close of the Challenge and based on qualified voting, a 2022 champion will be crowned.
This year’s Central and Northern Arizona competitors and their tasty creations include:
The County Seat
- Cookie: Lemon-Ups
- Dessert: Level Up Lemon Bar
- Description: Talk about an update on grandma’s lemon bar! This twist blends in Lemon-Up Girl Scout Cookies and adds a cheesecake-style topper and some candied lemon peel to round out this take on a classic.
- Address: 120 W. Gurley St., Prescott, AZ 86301
- Website: countyseataz.com
“We started as just one small restaurant and have grown much bigger, in large part to the support of the community. Giving back to this community that we love is in our DNA, and [supporting] the Girl Scouts is a great way to do that and support future women leaders,” said Skyler Reeves, proprietor of Vivili Hospitality Group, who owns The County Seat.
Beaver Street Brewery
- Cookie: Samoas and Trefoils
- Dessert: Coconut and Caramel Tiramisu
- Description: Whipped mascarpone layered with bits of Girl Scout Samoas and Trefoils.
- Address: 11 S. Beaver St. #1, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- Website: beaverstreetbrewery.com
Lumberyard Brewing Company
- Cookie: Trefoils
- Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake Jar
- Description: This vanilla pudding is amped up by the addition of Girl Scout Trefoils and fresh strawberries, which are all layered in a mason jar and topped with whipped cream.
- Address: 5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- Website: lumberyardbrewingcompany.com
“I was a Girl Scout for eight years, and my mom, Winnie, was the troop leader for my sister’s troop in Flagstaff. Growing up being a Girl Scout gives you a strong connection to your community and gives you an avenue to explore new things. In addition to my mom and me, many of our team members are Girl Scout alumni, so it is very personal for us. I think we’ve taken part since year one, in fact, or almost every year we have been able,” said Kelly Hanseth, owner of Beaver Street and Lumberyard.
Shift Kitchen & Bar
- Cookie: Thin Mints
- Dessert: Mint Chocolate Churros
- Description: Hand-made to order, these chocolate churros benefit from a powder made from Girl Scout Thin Mints. Once fried, they are plated with cream cheese whip, mint powder, chocolate sauce, chocolate crunch and a scoop of Earl Grey gelato.
- Address: 107 N. San Francisco St. Ste 2, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- Website: shiftflg.com
“As a female business owner, I can speak firsthand about the importance of all the skills learned by young Girl Scouts. From public speaking and money management to strategic planning and creativity, it is the perfect introduction to entrepreneurship. It is my goal to guide and support any young woman in Northern Arizona that wants to lead their community,” said Shift owner Dara Wong.
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery
- Cookie: Thin Mints
- Dessert: Minty Chocolate Mousse Trifle
- Description: Forget Rachel’s disastrous trifle from Friends! This beauty is sweet and smooth thanks to layers of mint-infused chocolate mousse and white chocolate mousse, made even richer with Girl Scout Thin Mint powder. It is topped with Thin Mint crumbles and whipped cream and garnished with berries as well as a bonus Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie.
- Address: 1800 S. Milton Road Suite 11, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- Website: grandcanyonbrewery.com
“A big part of what we do at Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery is giving back and supporting local groups that empower the youth in our community. When the opportunity to participate in the dessert challenge came up, I was thrilled to join in and help to show our local girls that we care and want to see them succeed,” said John Peasley, founder, Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery. QCBN
By Alison Bailin, FBN
Alison Bailin is the director of client service at HMA Public Relations.
