Ann Arbor chefs take top honors in Girl Scout bake-off

ANN ARBOR, Mich (WXYZ) - A pair of Ann Arbor chefs won top honors in a bake-off where they created tasty treats with Girl Scout cookie themes.

Chefs Cheryl Hanewich of La Dolce Vita and Chris Troiano of the Culinary Arts Department at Washtenaw Community College won big in the second annual Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Bake-Off Benefit, held September 21 at WCC’s Morris Lawrence Building.

Area restaurants, bakeries and caterers entered dishes made featuring Girl Scout cookies.  The Bake-Off brought in more than $25,000 for outreach programs of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Ann Arbor Regional Center.  The proceeds go to support local Girl Scouts in areas of most need.  The funds go to areas with a high percentage of children on free or reduced-rate lunch programs.  The proceeds also support Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, for girls whose mothers are incarcerated at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility.

La Dolce Vita took Judges’ Choice in the competition, which was judged by Ann Arbor area celebrity judges. WCC’s Culinary Arts Department won the People’s Choice award and the Most Creative Award.

Other participating chefs and establishments were: Chef Kyle Kooyers, Fabulous Food Catering; Chef Jeff Basta, Palio’s; Chef Amanda Clark, Mindo Chocolate Makers; and Chef Carla Hoopingamer, Paesano’s.

Celebrity judges were : Taylor Bond, CEO and president of Children’s Orchard; Jan Brandon, former regent, Eastern Michigan University; Linda Hughes, general manager of WAAM Radio; David Janda, surgeon, author and talk show host; and Anthony Williamson, program director, Parkridge Community Center.

To learn more about the Girl Scouts visit www.gshom.org , or call 1-800-49-SCOUT.