Cookies and Cocktails returns
TROY, N.Y. » Local chefs and bartenders are mixing cookies and cocktails at one popular annual fundraising event by the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York.
One of GSNENY’s signature events, now in its fifth year, Cookies and Cocktails celebrates the Girl Scout cookie tradition in a unique way for those 21 and older.
Cookies and Cocktails returns on Tuesday, April 10 at new venue Franklin Plaza in Troy. The evening event will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a Exclusive VIP Reception for sponsors and honorary committee one hour before.
For this fundraiser, Capital Region chefs and bartenders are challenged to get creative in presenting innovative cuisine and cocktails using Girl Scout cookies as ingredients.
Participants (to date) include Albany Country Club, Brown’s Brewing Company, Burger 21, Daley’s on Yates, dp An American Brasserie, Druthers, Franklin Plaza Ballroom, Longfellows, Normanside Country Club, Table 41 Brewing, The Ruck, Tara Kitchen and more.
Aneesa Waheed, chef and co- owner of Tara Kitchen in Troy and Schenectady, is looking forward to being part of the Cookies and Cocktails for the first time this year. Though she hasn’t quite confirmed a recipe for the competition, Waheed wants to find a way to use Girl Scout cookies in a savory, Morrocan inspired dish. “I’m super, super excited,” she said. “I’m kind of excited to see what we can come up with myself. I want to try and present the cookies in a way that nobody would have ever seen before.”
Contestants will compete for the titles of Best Overall Dish,
Best Cocktail, and Most Creative Use of a Cookie.
Special guest judges include Brian & Chrissy in the Morning from 107.7 WGNA, executive chef/owner Tyler DeGroff of Hen and the Hound in Middleburgh, Mazzone Hospitality chief operating officer Matt Mazzone.
The evening also includes a silent auction and live music.
Last year, Cookies and Cocktails raised more than $62,000 in support of Girl Scout programming for the close to 10,000 girls and adults in GSNENY’s 15-county region.
All proceeds from the 2018 Cookies and Cocktails event benefit the Young Women’s Leadership Initiative ( YWLI), an innovative GSNENY program that educates young women about career and leadership development opportunities. Every year hundreds of girls take part in interactive, handson training, including the chance to learn from senior women executives and entrepreneurs. The YWLI helps prepare the girls of today to become the women leaders of tomorrow.
Waheed, who does other work with the Girl Scouts, was happy to help with this fundraiser. “I like the mission of what Girl Scouts is about,” she said. “It’s a cause that I feel good about and I want to support.”
For more information, to purchase tickets, to become a sponsor, and/or to register as a restaurant participant, visit www.girlscoutsneny.org/cookiesandcocktails.