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Desserts First

Thank you for joining us for an intimate evening of desserts, appetizers, and wine, while making a difference for girls at our Girl Scouts Desserts First experience. This event supports Girl Scouts in Lubbock as we achieve the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Congratulations to the 2021 winners!


Best Overall: Patricia Tuthill
Juliettes 
Just Desserts
Girl Scout cookie used: Toast-Yay
Winning Recipe

Most Unique use of Cookie: Chef Tasha Teel
Toast-Yay Caramel Apple Crumble With Cinnamon Cheesecake Mouse
The Cakery
Girl Scout cookie used: Toast-Yay

Best Presentation: Patricia Tuthill
Juliettes
Just Desserts
Girl Scout cookie used: Toast-Yay
Winning Recipe

People's Choice: Ashley Smith
Turtle-Dactile Caramel Delight
Ashley's Own Eats & Treats
Girl Scout cookie used: Caramel Delight
Winning Recipe

For more information about Desserts First and supporting Girl Scouts in the Lubbock community, please contact Sierra Kane at 806.553.3176.

2021 Chefs

Chef Thomas Hiestand, The Texas Tech Club

Thomas started his career at the age of twelve in a family owned northern Italian restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago.

After holding Executive Chef Positions with several major hotel companies and conference centers including Radisson Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, McCormick Place and The Herrington Inn. He is now creating gourmet cuisine and pushing the envelope of culinary creativity and sharing his passion for food and wine at the Texas Tech Club.

Marsha Johnson, Sweet Creations

Sweet Creations is a family run, family oriented business that began in 2016. Marsha’s vision as a baker, cake decorator, and business owner is to deliver high quality products that are attractive, appetizing, and nutritious. She's an expert at using butter, flour, eggs, sugar, and milk to create a variety of desserts for our company's storefront and orders.

Executive Chef Dewey McMurrey, Texas Tech Hospitality Services

Chef Dewey McMurrey started his career in 1996 working in Montana casinos and continued pursuits in the hospitality industry.  Chef McMurrey graduated in the top ten percent of his class at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Chef McMurrey arrived at Texas Tech in 2005 and strives to make the campus lead the rest of the nation in University food service. Additionally, he has competed and won over a dozen different medals from Gold to Bronze in regional and national competitions.

Chef Andrew Seccareccio, The Willows Event Center

My name is Andrew Seccareccio, I am the Executive Chef for Betenbough Companies. I have a beautiful partner names Megan and two wonderful children, Lily and Reese. We moved to Lubbock a year ago from Fairbanks, Alaska, working for Princess Cruises at internal land lodges. I have been cooking my entire life, living in a large Italian family and working in restaurants around the country. I truly believe my culinary leadership allows me to bring out the best in people and allow them to be who they truly want to be. Food is a universal language, one that I like to use to find the strengths in people and help them grow into the professional people they are capable of being. Not only that, but breaking bread alongside friends and family is one of life’s truest forms of connection. 

Ashley Smith, Ashley's Own Eats & Treats

Ashley Smith is the owner and founder of Ashley's Own Eats & Treats.  She is a wife to her husband Byron Smith, mother of 5 children (ages 14, 12, 7, 6, 3), author, and philanthropist. Her passion is outreach and her goal for her business is much more than cooking a great meal.    In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family, sing, and play the piano.  Although Ashley's Own Eats & Treats catering company is capable of serving up gourmet soul food meals and treats, owner Ashley Smith also wants to be sure every person that tastes the food will feel the love within each bite.  Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 and she believes that everyone was placed on this earth for a purpose and we are blessed to be a blessing to someone else in need.  She attends First Progressive Baptist Church and is apart of the music ministry.  

www.facebook.com/ashleysowneatsandtreats

Chef Tasha Teel, The Cakery

I am a long time Girl Scout, and currently a troop leader here in Lubbock. My husband and I own The Cakery. We are a boutique bakery that does everything you want to bake at home, but don’t want to clean up. Wedding Cakes, Birthdays, Cupcakes, Brownies, and Cookies too. After graduating Culinary School I worked as a personal chef in Houston, and realized I love making anything sweet! So after I moved back to Lubbock I opened The Cakery, and we have been going strong for 8 years. Desserts first is one of my favorite events. I get to combine my culinary experience with Girl Scout Cookies! What could be better? I love Girl Scouts, and really enjoy this competition. 

Patricia Tuthill, Just Desserts

In 2018, I had a life-saving liver transplant that gave me new life!  The gift came with an enthusiasm to become an entrepreneur and a desire to fulfill my dreams.  I have a full-time career with the United States Postal Service, but operate my cottage bakery in the evenings and weekends.  I am a proud child of God.  I have been married for almost 18 years and have 2 girls, and three bonus children.  My motto “Be a cupcake in a world of muffins!”

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