New, Returning Chefs Jump at Chance to Reimagine Classic Cookies

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council is pleased to announce the return of its award-winning Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge. For the fourth year in a row, chefs from some of the state’s most popular restaurants will use their culinary prowess to re-imagine one of the beloved flavors of Girl Scout cookies – Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils, Toffee-tastics and Savannah Smiles – into a custom dessert menu item. Each restaurant has agreed to feature its dessert on its menu from February 1 to February 28, 2017, with a portion of the proceeds from each dessert sold directly supporting Girl Scouting in our community.

They also hope to inspire home cooks across Arizona to buy an extra box or two this Girl Scout cookie season to create their own desserts. Girl Scout Cookies will be available from Jan. 23 to March 5 this year. As in recent years, the Girl Scouts will have all cookies on hand for immediate customer purchase. Locations of cookie booths can be found by downloading the app Cookie Finder or by visiting girlscoutcookies.org.

Ahwatukee will be represented for the first time ever in the challenge this year, thanks to Fresko Mediterranean Kitchen, which is located at 5033 E. Elliot Road. They used Girl Scout Savannah Smiles cookies – known for their lemon zest – to make a Melopita, which is a Greek honey cake. The dessert is available on the menu throughout the month of February for just $4.50, with a portion of proceeds benefiting local Girl Scouting.

This is Fresko’s first time participating in the Girl Scout Dessert Challenge. “I think girls need all the positivity and the ‘you can do anything’ message that they can get,” said Janna Harris, Fresko pastry chef. “The Girl Scouts organization seems to cultivate that exact environment. I’m excited to have the opportunity to participate this year.”

Additional restaurants across the Valley taking part include:

• 347 Grill at the UltraStar Mult-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle
• Flowerchild locations Valleywide
• Char Kitchen + Bar
• Churn
• Chompie’s locations Valleywide
• Compass Arizona Grill at the Hyatt Regency
• Coup des Tartes
• Drexyl Modern America
• Jalapeño Inferno
• Lumberyard Brewery
• Olive + Ivy
• Proof Canteen at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North
• Rhythm & Wine
• Rusconi’s American Kitchen
• Silver Pine Restaurant at the Little America Hotel
• Soros Wine Room
• The Crepe Club
• The Henry
• The MARKET by Jennifer’s Restaurant + Bar
• The Thumb
• Twisted Grove

To share your own dessert creations – or shots of you and your family tasting any of the chefs’ creations – simply tag any social media posts with #dessertchallenge.

Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is Arizona’s leading organization preparing girls with the skills and experiences they need to empower themselves for life. Given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. We know that girls built of courage, confidence and character make the world a better place. GSACPC serves 22,000 girls, grades K-12, across central and northern Arizona, in partnership with more than 10,000 adult volunteers.  For more information, visit our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.