Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada’s “Dessert Before Dinner” Gala Names 2017 Winners
It was the winning dessert showcasing the classic S’mores flavors in one decadent dish. Chef Mei Shimizu, Aria Resort Casino Las Vegas, won this year’s Dessert Before Dinner chef pastry competition with her playful interpretation, the S’More Glace Ice Cream Bar (Pictured: Chef Mei Shimizu, Aria Resort Casino Las Vegas and Her Winning Dessert, S’More Glace Ice Cream Bar – Photo credit: Cashman Photo)
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada’s “Dessert Before Dinner” Gala
Photo credit: Cashman Photo
Known as one of the most prominent galas the city and benefiting the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, the event attracted more than 700 of the city’s top influencers and community leaders.
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada’s “Dessert Before Dinner” Gala
Photo credit: Cashman Photo
Dessert Before Dinner brings area female pastry chefs together to create the ultimate confection inspired by a chosen signature Girl Scout cookie. Eight chefs from Southern Nevada resorts battled to create the most scrumptious dessert based on classic S’Mores ingredients: graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Gala attendees sampled these cookie-inspired desserts then voted for their favorite before dinner was even served.
This year’s winners:
- First Place: Chef Mei Shimizu, Aria Resort Casino Las Vegas. Winning Dessert: S’More Glace Ice Cream Bar.
- Second Place: Chef Michelle Flores, Caesars Palace. Winning Dessert: S’Mores Drumstick.
- Third Place: Chef Kristen Hutton, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. Winning Dessert: Little Sand Bucket.
In addition to the chefs’ competition, an array of the city’s most high-profile women was honored for their contributions to the Girl Scouts, as well as the community. They received honorary badges based on their talent and achievements.
This year’s honorees included (in alphabetical order):
- Debbie Creel – Think Big Badge
- Souzan El-Eid, MD, FACS S.T.E.A.M. Advocate Badge
- Nazanin Ford – Visionary Badge
- Shelley Gitomer – Trailblazing Badge
- Nancy Houssels – Ambassador of the Arts Badge
- Trina Pascal – Philanthropist Badge
- Sonja Saltman Power of Community Badge
- Melinda Sheckells – Social Innovator Badge
Dessert Before Dinner 2017 Honorees with their Mini-Mes
Photo credit: Cashman Photo
Gala proceeds continue to lay the foundation for all girls in Southern Nevada to become tomorrow’s female leaders. In addition to funding scholarships, proceeds enable the organization to reach girls in all demographics and areas of the community as well as expanding upon current programming such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.), social values and financial literacy. Most importantly, support for Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada encourages girls to embrace imaginative and innovative approaches to everything they do—with the goal of creating a better world for all.
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls of all ages and serves more than 6,000 youth and adult members throughout Southern Nevada. The organization seeks to help girls and young women build character and develop life skills for success in the real world and is a part of the Girl Scouts of the USA, the nationwide organization that has helped girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together since 1912.