Photo courtesy Hotel Valley Ho
The Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge is back for its eighth year. After taking a break last year due to the pandemic, Arizona chefs are back in the kitchen whipping up delicious desserts inspired by Girl Scout cookies.
February 1 through 28, 21 esteemed chefs from venues across the state will be showcasing their concoctions made with Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils and Lemon-Ups.
“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,” says the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council interim co-CEO Mary Mitchell. “A portion of the proceeds will support Girl Scouting in Arizona.”
This year’s returning competitors include Aioli Gourmet Burgers, Churn, Lovecraft, Rusconi’s American Kitchen, Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant and ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho. They will be joined by first-time participants such as Beaver Street Brewery in Flagstaff, Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion, Taco Guild, Tarbell’s and more.
Look for sweet treats such as a coconut-lime shortbread tart, strawberry shortcake jar, mint chocolate churros and peanut butter and bacon crème brûlée.
Diners can then vote for their favorite desserts, and the venue with the most votes at the end of the month will be crowned this year’s Dessert Challenge Champion.
“Girl Scout Cookie fans and restaurant patrons will vote for their favorite dessert in Central and Northern Arizona during the month of February, helping us crown a 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge Champion for each region,” Mitchell explains. “In addition to the fun, many of the venues have also opened their doors to allow local Girl Scouts to host cookie booths on-site during the challenge as well, a first for us and our challenge partners.”
