Culinary Services Team Wins Top Honors at Local Chef Competition

April 02, 2019 | The Villager | Reading Time 2:00 Minutes

Friendship Village Kalamazoo Culinary Services team of Executive Chef Nicole Hassen, Rachael Peters, Catering Manager Kellie Miller and Director of Culinary Services Craig Fowler competed against top southwest Michigan restaurant chefs on Thursday, February 21 in the Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off to benefit the Girl Scouts of SW Michigan.

This Girl Scout cookie themed fundraiser puts chef’s talents to the test by asking competitors to make a sweet treat using a Girl Scout Cookie as the main ingredient. Attendees pay a $55 fee to taste and vote for their favorite sweet entrée prepared by each competitor. The two awards are the People’s Choice Award and the Judge’s Choice Award.

Friendship Village’s entry was a Toffee-tastic Cookie Shot, made with the Toffee-tastic Girl Scout cookie. Our entry was awarded First Place in both the Judge’s Choice and the People’s Choice categories!

Chef Nicole, Rachael, Kellie and Craig worked together to create a stunning table scape and a top-notch presentation of their Toffee-tastic Cookie Shots. A number of Friendship Village staff and residents came to the event to cheer on our winning team!

Participation in this event benefits Friendship Village through the ability to showcase our culinary skills to community members, increase awareness of Friendship Village, and publicity of our win through social media.

Connecting with community is a priority for Friendship Village, and our participation in this event allows the non-profit Girl Scouts to raise the necessary funds to ensure Outreach Programs to help girls become Girl Scouts. The Outreach Program provides a safe place, and various resources, to girls in underserved communities.