Peace, Love, Cupcakes

UPDATE: The random number generator spit out #7, so congratulations to Andrew Ruiz, winner of a pair of general admission tickets to the 2nd Annual Cupcake Love-In. Thank all of you who took the time to enter. If you didn’t win, we hope you still will buy a ticket to the event (general admission is $20, proceeds go to CASS).

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Sunday, October 30, 33 professional bakers and chefs will compete in the 2nd Annual Cupcake Love-In at the Hotel Valley Ho.

Last year’s family-friendly charity event sold out, so this year the hotel is giving the event a bigger venue to accommodate more cupcake lovers. Co-founders Kelly Garcia and Tracy Dempsey expect this year to sell out, too.

Pen & Fork bought a pair of tickets to giveaway, so if you want to stuff your face with unlimited cupcakes and support Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), leave a comment below, telling us your favorite cupcake flavor.

We’ll randomly pick a commenter who will win two general admission tickets (because really, it’s more fun to have someone along to help you stuff your face with gobs of cupcakes).

Taste cupcakes from Urban Cookies (winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars) and from Tammie Coe Cakes, Posh Restaurant, Barb’s Bakery and dozens of others. Don’t worry, there will be vegan cupcakes, too, from 24 Carrots and gluten-free cupcakes as well.

Judges include local celebrity Chef Aaron May, New York Times best selling author Jenn McKinlay, author of the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Founding Editor of Cupcakes Take The Cake Blog and Wynter Holden, former Phoenix New Times Night & Day Editor (who has no idea what she’s gotten herself into).

Come out and support CASS and our local bakers and chefs. Bring the whole family because there is nothing as magical as seeing a room full of kids with pink frosting smeared on their faces.

Read the fine print and enter to win a pair of tickets:

Fine print:

One entry per person, on this post only.

Barring natural disasters, broken bones, virus-infections, etc., you agree to attend the event if you win.

Deadline to enter (via a comment) is midnight (PST) Wednesday, 10-26-11.

One winner will be selected at random to receive both general admission tickets, and will be announced on Thursday, 10-27-11.

Tickets will be left for the winner at “will call” at the Hotel Valley Ho the day of the event (10-30-11).

Event Details:

Cupcake Love-In
Hotel Valley Ho
Sunday, October 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit Cupcake Love-in for more information

*** To enter the ticket giveaway, just leave a comment with your favorite cupcake flavor. Good luck!

Tags: charity, Cupcake Love-In, cupcakes, giveaway, Heather Gill, Hotel Valley Ho, Kelly Garcia, Tracy Dempsey
Posted in News & Nibbles | 15 Comments »

UPDATE:  Congrats to Pat Sinclair, who won the ticket to Getting Our Just Desserts! Random.org threw off the number 7, and Pat was the 7th qualified entry. It had nothing to do with her chocolate cheesecake dessert, although doesn’t that sound delicious? Thanks to all who entered!

Mark your calendar for November 19th for Phoenix’s annual Getting Our Just Desserts celebration.

Want a ticket? I’m giving one away.

But first, why am I telling you about an event that isn’t taking place until November 19?

One: I never pass up an opportunity to support the Valley’s women chefs, caterers and farmers.

Two: I love dessert. I live for dessert. In fact, I write a monthly column about dessert for PHOENIX Magazine.

Three: The beneficiary of this event is C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program), which supports high school culinary students through various programs, including providing scholarships to culinary schools.

Four: If you buy a ticket before September 30th, you can save $5 off the ticket price.

Five: Since I’m a big fan of C-CAP, I bought a ticket to the event to give away. There are strings attached.

1.) You should be able to go to the event on November 19. See details below for location and time.

2.) You must leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite dessert.

3.) You really should read the fine print.

Fine Print:
I’ll pick a random comment from all qualified comments received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 30th. Your comment must be cast on THIS post. If you comment on another post, your name will NOT go into the hat. Not that I don’t appreciate any and all comments on any post, but to get into this random drawing, you have to comment on THIS post. Only one entry per person (but you can list as many desserts as you’d like. Seriously, who has only one favorite dessert?) No alternate entry is valid. Whining, complaining and blatant brown-nosing (although appreciated) will not improve your chances. I’ll notify the winner on Saturday, October 1, and update this post with the winning entry.

The line-up of 30 women chefs and caterers (and at least one farmer!) is a who’s who of Valley leaders: Charleen Badman (FnB); Country Velador (Cowboy Ciao); Amy Binkley (Binkley’s & Cafe Bink); Samantha Sharrar (elements at Sanctuary); Chrysa Robertson (Rancho Pinot); Chantal Hause (Fabulous Food); and Maya Dailey (Maya’s Farm)… just to name a few.

Please don’t miss this sweet event… even if you don’t win a ticket, consider supporting our women culinary leaders and C-CAP.

Details:
What: Getting Our Just Desserts
When: November 19, 2011, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The Art Institute of Phoenix, 2233 West Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix
Why: Proceeds go to C-CAP’s scholarship fund
Tickets: $30 before Sept 30; $35 after Sept 30
http://www.blacktie-arizona.com/rsvp, event code justdesserts11

Now… to enter to win a ticket to this sugar-fest … tell me, what’s your favorite dessert?

I’ll go first…. pie…any pie, I’m not really picky.

Tags: C-CAP, charity event, Getting Our Just Desserts, giveaway, Phoenix
Posted in News & Nibbles | 14 Comments »

UPDATE 10-4-10: We have a winner!

Congratulations to Katrina M! A big, sweet thank you to all who entered. If you didn’t win, I hope that you’ll still come to the event. The entire ticket price goes directly to the two charities. Hope to see you there!

Did you read my last post about the fun-tastic charity cupcake event happening on 10.10.10 at Hotel Valley Ho here in Phoenix?

No? Well, go read it (here)….I’ll wait.

Meanwhile, I might shop for one of these Tees.

Back? Good.

Now you know that the Cupcake Love-In, co-founded by pastry chefs Tracy Dempsey and Kelly Garcia, is a charity event to raise money for Singleton Moms and Safe Haven for Animals, and you know that 33 Valley bakers are competing for best cupcake bragging rights. And there’s a cupcake eating contest and a cupcake decorating station for the little ones. And it’s all for charity.

In the spirit of giving, I’ve bought 2 tickets to the event.

To win both tickets, all you have to do is leave a comment, telling me your favorite cupcake flavor. That, and you need to be able to go to the event on Sunday, 10.10.10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Hotel Valley Ho in Phoenix.

Fine print:

• 1 entry per person

• Barring natural disasters, broken bones, virus-infections, etc., you agree to attend the event if you win.

• Deadline is midnight (PST) Sunday, 10-3-10.

• 1 winner will be selected at random to receive both tickets, and will be announced on Monday, 10-4-10.

• Tickets will be left for the winner at “will call” at the Hotel Valley Ho the day of the event (10.10.10)

So, go ahead. Tell me your favorite cupcake flavor.

Tags: Cupcake Love-In, giveaway, Hotel Valley Ho, Kelly Garcia, Tracy Dempsey
Posted in News & Nibbles | 27 Comments »

The Great Ranch Cookbook

Spirited Recipes & Rhetoric from America's Best Guest Ranches

Par Fork! The Golf Resort Cookbook

Culinary Expedition Through World Class Golf Resort Kitchens

The Cool Mountain Cookbook

A Gourmet Guide to Winter Retreats