Prepare to impress your taste buds!

Chef Dante and Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Board Member Diana Snider appearance on WKYC-TV, promoting Dessert First Video        Recipe: Chocolate covered shortbread crumbles; Toasted Coconut;  Dulce de Leche foam

The 16th annual Dessert First gala will kick off the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland on October 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.   This venue will better accommodate the growth the event has experienced over the past four years under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Daisy L. Alford-Smith, Ph.D.

"As we celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting, we look forward with anticipation to the powerful energy that today's Girl Scouts will bring to leadership in Northeast Ohio," said Alford-Smith.  "Dessert First is one of the many ways corporations, foundations, community partners, and individuals support our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place."

Cookies certainly appeal to the child in each of us, and for one night you can experience a grown-up version of what we loved as children.  Guests will be able to sample the desserts before enjoying a sit-down dinner with the ambiance of the Great Lakes Science Center.  This year's emcee is Girl Scout alum and WEWS Channel 5 anchorwoman Lee Jordan.  The evening includes a live auction, a raffle with the opportunity to win a Disney vacation package, and entertainment.

In the spirit of friendly competition, desserts will be evaluated on presentation, creativity and taste by a panel of celebrity judges:

Nancy Alden, WDOK 102.1 FM                     
Harry Boomer, WOIO Channel 19
Georgina K. Carson, akronlife            
Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer                
Christi Nichols, WONE 97.5 FM         
Deborah Hanson, ClevelandWomen.com
Stan Piatt, WNIR 100 FM  Dessert First Media Sponsor

The event benefits Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, and is sponsored by Little Brownie Bakers, QSP, KeyBank, Merrill Lynch and a number of other companies that share a commitment to Girl Scouting throughout GSNEO's 18-county region. 

Reservations are available for $150.  Proceeds benefit Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.  Please call Mindy at 330.983.0127/800.852.4474 or email mfeigenbaum@gsneo.org to make your reservation.

Participating chefs include:                                                   

Akron City Women’s Club; Jonathon Matousek

Bricco-Cleveland & Akron; Chase Phillips

Dante Restaurant; Dante Boccuzzi

Edgar’s Restaurant; Cara Smith

Moxie and Red; Kara Swortchek

Paladar Latin Kitchen; Michael Slater and Ryan Kaston

Portage Country Club; Brad Gambrell

PURA Vida by Brandt; Brandt Evans and Scott Coffman

Taste of Fine Dining Featuring Twisted Treats; Tanya Lundy & Jennifer Bogart

X O Prime Steaks & Seafood Restaurant; William "Tom" Hurt 

Zanzibar Soul Fusion Restaurant; Tony Fortner

Zinc Bistro; Jeff Stanton II