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February 25, 2009
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 Monday, March 2 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 four years now, so we're excited to bring it to Paducah," says the lovely Aretta Terry, the new 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, Pastor and "Cookie Man" Westminster Presbyterian Church
2732 Broadway
443.2919
Don Barger is a retired school teacher of 31 years and has baked cookies for Kirchhoff's Bakery. He's been on cookie sabbatical while pastoring Westminster Presbyterian Church. His dessert: A Hint of Mint.
Pam Blackburn, CatererNeil’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.
David Boggs, Promotion & Events CoordinatorPaducah Renaissance Alliance
321 Broadway
444.8649
David Boggs is an events expert, lending his special touch to the Paducah Renaissance Alliance. His primary responsibilities are Barbecue on the RiverThe Downtown Farmers Market, Lowertown Art & Music Festival and Downtown After Dinner. He considers it a privilege to serve the citizens of Paducah in this manner.
Laura Duff, Owner/Registered DietitianA 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.
David Jones & Karla Lawrence, Chefs/CaterersArtisan Kitchen
1704 Broadway
538.0250
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. He was recently accepted to, and will attend, the World Pastry Forum and International Competition.
Chef Karla Lawrence is a graduate of the WKCTC Culinary program and has twice been accepted and attended the World Pastry Forum and International Pastry Competition. She is completing her bachelor's degree and international chef certification.
John Myrick, Pastry ChefKirchhoff’s Bakery
114-118 South 2nd St.
442.7117
John Myrick has been with Kirchhoff's for six years. He started his career in the deli and is now a pastry chef. He's a gifted baker and very knowledgeable about pastries.
Valerie Pollard, Owner/BaristaMarket Square Coffee
118 South 2nd St.
444.0044
Valerie Pollard is owner and barista at Market Square Coffee. She has enjoyed baking all her life and loves all things coffee! What a great combination. Her dessert: Market Square Coffee Cups.
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| Photo by Brian Steffen |
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. Her dessert: Samoa Chunk Biscotti, served with caramel coffee.
Josh Ryan, Co-Owner/BakerKirchhoff’s Bakery
114-118 South 2nd St.
442.7117
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.
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| Photo by Brian Stefen |
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: Ultimate Caramel Medley
Other chefs include Evan (Doe's Eat Place), Karen Petter and Sid Hancock, along with head chefs from the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Citizens Center and Harrah's Range Steakhouse.
