ASBURY PARK – Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and 175 guests gathered in person to support the Third Annual TopCookie Competition. Seven local chefs came together to compete for the coveted title of TopCookie Champion and People’s Choice Award, and created a special dessert made with iconic Girl Scout cookies.
Guests were greeted with a delicious Salted Caramel Truffle Brownie S’more, made by Chef Stu Marx from Red Hourse by David Burke. Chef Stu Marx who was assisted by Toni Charmello, executive chef for Drifthouse, made this special dessert in honor of the Girl Scouts 110th Birthday, using the newest cookie, the Adventurful.
Interim CEO, Heather Coburn and Emcee Kimberly Kravitz, Emmy Award Winning Journalist, welcomed guests to raise funds to support programs that inspire and motivate young women to be girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
“As we approach our 110th Birthday, I am proud of our troop leaders, volunteers, alumni and staff as they make the Girl Scout experience accessible to all girls,” said Heather. It was also announced that Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore welcomed more new members that ever before with over 10,500 members in Monmouth and Ocean County.
Board Chair, Teri O’Connor thanked the generous sponsors and underwriters who believe in the Girl Scout mission including the Thin Mint Sponsor, The Citta Foundation, Inc,; Grunin Foundation, ENCON, Pine Belt Cars, PNC Institutional Asset Management, Drs. Amy and Eric Eschinger, Discovery Map, New Jersey Natural Gas, Holman Frenia Allison, P.C., the Coccaro Family, and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus – RWJ Barnabas Health.
Internationally renowned Chef David Burke led the panel of judges which included James Costello, Chef & Co-owner of Ohana Grill & 2020 TopCookie Champion; Lori Draz, Special Feature, Entertainment and Food Writer; Nick Lepore, known as the “Burger Buff”, host of cheeseburger pop-ups in NJ and beyond, that sell out in minutes, thanks to his incredible social media following; and Marilyn Schlossbach, Executive Chef and Owner of The Marilyn Schlossbach Group.
Competitors presented their desserts for judging and were critiqued on execution/appearance, taste/flavor, texture/consistency and creativity.
The competitors were:
- Amelia Caverly, Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Company – Lemon-Ups
- Chef Lauren Covas, Chef Covas Catering – Trefoils
- Shannon Phillips, E. Holland Sundries – Thin Mints
- Chef Kendall Szpakowski, Homesick – Tagalongs
- Chef Raechel Lebron, Sickles Market – Do-si-dos
- James Callano, Strollo’s Lighthouse Italian Ice – Samoas
- Chef Becca Dolce, Talula’s – Girl Scout S’mores
Our esteemed judges tasted and scored each dessert. After tough deliberation, the judges submitted their scores and awarded 2022 TopCookie Champion to Amelia Caverly and the talented team from Booskerdoo Coffee & Banking Co. who created a whimsical teacup dessert using the Lemon-up Girl Scout cookie.
Guests in person and on-line participated in voting for their favorite restaurant and dessert and awarded the 2022 People’s Choice Award to Chef Kendall Szpakowski of Homesick for her beignets using the iconic Tagalongs.
The event raised over $30,000 for the programs and services provided by Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and the more than 10,500 members in Monmouth and Ocean County. For more information about the TopCookie competition or Girl Scout Cookies, visit GSFun.org.
