Top Chef David Burke Supports TopCookie Benefit for Girl Scouts

World-renowned chef David Burke got a thumbs up from a group of tough cookies for a new dessert his Sea Bright restaurant is creating for an upcoming culinary competition to benefit local Girl Scouts.

Brownie Troop 60173 from Middletown was invited to the Drifthouse by David Burke on Wed., Jan. 22, to taste test the sweet treat made with the newest Girl Scout cookie flavor, Lemon-Ups.

Guests at Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s TopCookie competition will get to savor Burke’s lemon creation and five other desserts that local restaurants are whipping up with iconic Girl Scout cookies.

Burke’s dessert won’t be part of the competition- it will be the welcome dessert as guests arrive to the tasty fundraiser on Feb. 6 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park. All proceeds from the benefit will support local Girl Scouts.

Burke is supporting the event because he believes in entrepreneurship and the opportunities that the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program provide girls.

The chef, who appeared on two seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef, invited the Brownie Troop for a tour of the restaurant where they got to make their own cotton candy, sample sizzling bacon and fresh oysters, assemble and devour desserts and give him feedback on the new dessert.

He helped kick off this year’s Girl Scout cookie season at an event on Jan. 7 alongside Brenna McCormick, a member of the Brownie troop who was selected to be featured on the Girl Scouts Thanks-A-Lot cookie box. Brenna and her troop, along with 10,000 Girl Scouts in Monmouth and Ocean counties, are taking orders now for Girl Scout cookies.

Burke will be the lead judge for the dessert competition with help from a panel of celebrity judges: Patty Caneda, owner of Caneda’s White Rooster; Jeremy Grunin, CEO of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation; Tom Hayes, Director of Consumer and Community Relations at New Jersey Natural Gas; and Carol Stillwell, CEO of Stillwell-Hansen, Inc.

Competing restaurants are: McLoone’s Restaurants, Nicholas Creamery, Ocean County Center for Culinary Arts Training, Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis, Ohana Grill and Talula’s.

The judges will select the best dessert and the winning restaurant will be receive the TopCookie Award. The public can also start voting now for their favorite restaurant at $1 a vote and support the Girl Scouts. The restaurant that receives the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award.

Emcees for the cookie competition will be Steve Bidgood, owner of Salt Creek Grille, and Tim McLoone of McLoone’s Restaurants.

The Feb. 6th TopCookie competition will take place from 6-9 p.m., at Asbury Lanes, a vintage bowling alley and entertainment venue. To vote, purchase tickets and sponsorships or for more information, visit gsfun.org/topcookie.

About Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore serves more than 10,000 girls ages 5-18
in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing a time-tested leadership experience
that inspires and motivates them to take action for themselves and their communities. For over 107 years, Girl Scouts has helped girls become women of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For information on how to join, volunteer, partner, or donate, visit gsfun.org or call (800) 785-2090.