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January 10, 2010
Desserts First: Girl Scout Cookies, All Grown Up
Jonesing for Thin Mints? You’re in luck. It’s Girl Scout cookie time, and local chefs are transforming Tagalongs, Trefoils and Do-Si-Dos into even more amazing desserts concoctions.
Sample them all at the Saturday, Jan. 30 Desserts First fundraiser at the Carson Center, 6-8:30 p.m.
Along with tasting and voting for your favorite desserts, you’ll enjoy an evening with friends, music, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. The proceeds benefit the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, which serves nearly 2,500 girls through our local Bear Creek Service Center.
“Desserts First has been going on across the U.S. for about five years now, so we’re excited to bring it to Paducah," says the lovely Aretta Terry, the Girl Scouts’ Western Kentucky Fund Development manager. "Our Girl Scouts program is dedicated to evolving young women into community leaders and world leaders. Girls of all ages earn badges in global awareness, finance, the environment — even adventure sports. This is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about our local Girl Scouts and how to get involved.”
Desserts First tickets are $30; corporate table sponsorships are $1,000. Purchase tix online or at the office, 711 Jefferson St. For more info, call Aretta, 933.3010.
Meet the Desserts First chefs!
Don Barger, the Kirchhoff Cookie Man
Kirchhoff’s Deli and Bakery
114-118 South 2nd St.
442.7117
Don Barger is a retired school teacher of 32 years and baked cookies for Kirchhoff’s Bakery off and on for a number of years. He’s back on, working for Kirchhoff’s full time. He’s not sure what he’ll whip up this year — he’s busy experimenting with cookies. But his last year’s A Hint of Mint was a tasty success
Pam Blackburn, Caterer
Neil’s Catering
2429 Bridge St.
443.6493
Longtime friend Neil Ward asked Pam Blackburn to join his Neil’s Catering staff in 1999, and she’s been there ever since. Pam says her co-workers are her best friends and that she’s been blessed to do what she loves while working with such wonderful and caring people. "I have learned this past year to live life to its fullest, tell the ones you love how much you love them, laugh, laugh, laugh and praise God for what you have," she says. Her dessert this year: Girl Scout Cookie Pops.
Laura Duff, Owner/Registered Dietitian
Laura Duff’s Pampered Palate
114-118 Market House Sq.
556.2015
Laura Duff provides upscale, fine-dining for catered events of all sizes. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner with your spouse or a dinner party for 20 of your closest friends, Laura can take care of all the details. This year, she’s whipping up “Splash of Kentucky” Somoa Cheesecake Bites. The Kentucky part? “Bourbon,” Laura says. “Just a little.”
David Jones & Karla Lawrence, Chefs/Caterers
Artisan Kitchen
1704 Broadway
538.0250
Owner David Jones is an “on-the-job” trained chef with more than 20 years of restaurant and hospitality industry experience, as well as a B.A. in Political Science. Executive Chef Karla Lawrence is a graduate of the WKCTC Culinary program and has been accepted and attended the World Pastry Forum and International Pastry Competition numerous times. Whatever it is they’re making, you know it’s gonna be good!
John Myrick, Pastry Chef
Kirchhoff’s Bakery
114-118 South 2nd St.
442.7117
John Myrick has been with Kirchhoff’s for seven years. He started his career in the deli and is now a pastry chef. He’s a gifted baker and very knowledgeable about pastries.
Photo by Brian Steffen
Jean Rhodes, Barista/Manager
Etcetera Coffeehouse
320 North 6th St.
443.7760
Jean Rhodes began cooking and serving coffee professionally at 15 and has worked at restaurants and cafes both locally (No Monet, Café Minou and the Global Nomad) and in Boston. She returned to Paducah in 2006 to establish Etcetera Coffeehouse, Paducah’s only place for bubble tea and organic, fair-trade coffee. Jean divides her time among making the best coffee in town, playing roller derby with the Radioactive City Roller Girls and her three cats. No doubt she’ll roll in with an amazing dessert!
Josh Ryan, Co-Owner/Baker
Kirchhoff’s Bakery
114-118 South 2nd St.
442.7117
Better known simply as “The Baker,” Josh Ryan has been with Kirchhoff’s for 12 years and became co-owner in 2008. He’s a natural baker with an imaginative mind and a wonderful cook.
Cynthia Sanderson, Family Court Judge
Judge Sanderson loves to cook — Italian and French cuisines are her favorites. She’ll give our sweet tooth a break by serving up toasted bruschetta with fresh mozzarella, basil and a balsalmic demi-glaze. No cookies included!
Photo by Brian Steffen
Ken White, Head Chef
Ristorante di Fratelli
211 Broadway
442.7054
Ken White is the head chef at Ristorante di Fratelli. He has 16 years of experience, including stints at Max’s and Cynthia’s, and graduated from the Orlando Culinary Academy LeCordon Bleu, Magna Cum Laude, in 2003. Ken is amazing with all parts of the di Fratelli menu, with desserts being one of his specialties. His dessert this year: Peanut Butter Bon Bons.
Other chefs include Evan of Doe’s Eat Place, Tribeca, Wilma Walker, Patrick Fletcher, Linda Crowe, Blake Clark and Mary Jane Carter and the head chefs from the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Citizens Center.
