Dessert First celebrates sweet success

Signature fundraising event sold out!

The 16th annual Dessert First gala was a sold out event with more than 500 attendees and more than $100,000 in personal and corporate sponsorships.

Click here to download ALL of the recipes from this year's event.
Click here to watch the video loop: It's a Girl's World.
Click here to watch the video presentation: Campaign for Girls.

Dessert First sampling

The event was held at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland on October 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. This venue was better able to 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.

Dessert First emcee

Dessert First Moxie first place

Pictured: Moxie and Red, First place winner with Caramel Gelato Crunch Bar

Second place: Pura Vida, Peanut Butter Pop
Third place: Bricco, Tagalong Cheesecake

In the spirit of friendly competition, desserts were 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

Dessert First celebrity judges

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.