2016 Sweet Charity Dessert Challenge Whips Up Competition

Join Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance for a culinary-inspired dessert charity event to support Veterans Art Therapy programming.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - It may not be considered the ‘most important meal of the day’ but it’s certainly the one no one wants to forget! From its simple beginnings of fruit and honeycomb to the culinary masterpieces involving liquid nitrogen and real gold dessert is the sweet treat that has never stopped giving.
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The 4th Annual Sweet Charity Dessert Challenge pits 30 of Southern Arizona’s best dessert designers against each other for the title of Sweetest of the Sweet, Sweet Charity Dessert Challenge Champion. Pastry chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists and students will all compete to see whose cuisine reigns supreme in a vote decided by the event attendees. 
 

Attendees can sample a parade of pastries, cocktails and beer and vote on their favorite recipes in an all people’s choice competition. Categories of awards will highlight the diversity found in desserts, including: Grand Prize - Sweetest of the Sweet, Best Presentation, Most Creative Dessert, Best Baked Dessert, Best Chilled Dessert, Best Frozen Dessert, Best Fruit Dessert, Best Sweet and Salty Dessert, Best Sweet Cocktail, Best Creative Cocktail, and Best Fruity Cocktail.
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2016 Featured Participants and Menus
 
Casino Del Sol
Chef Gina Skelton
Chocolate Snack Attack Fruit
Mangonada Upside Down Cake
 
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery
Chef Susan Fulton
Pumpkin Trifle Parfait
 
Gringo grill + cantina
Chef Andy Ceron
Chocolate Tamale with fruit pico de gallo
 
Hacienda del Lago
Mixologist Mike
Kickin' Cactus Cocoa Cocktail
Chef Janet Jones
Drunken Cookie Dessert
 
HighWire Lounge
Mixologist John Hardin
Vodka Gummi Bears
Carmel Apple Pearl Shot
 
JW Marriott Starr Pass
Mixologist Chris Santos
Spice of the Night
Chef Chris Johnson
Yuzu Fruit Crumble 
 
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Mixologist Tristan White
Short & Stout
Chef Krista Owens
Smoke & Chocolate 
 
Mama's Hawaiian BBQ
Chef Sam Alboy
Bourbon Pecan Bar
 
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Bundtini
 
[POPPED] Artisan Popcorn
Gingerbread Artisan Popcorn
Lemon Chiffon Artisan Popcorn
 
RA Sushi Restaurant
Peanut Butter Carmel Crunch
 
Rigo's Restaurant
Blanca Ortega & Cynthia Juarez
Ponche Calientito Cocktail
Cotton Candy Bubbles
 
Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain
Chef Daniel Mangione
Peppermint Panna Cotta
Frozen Pumpkin Pops
 
Roger Clyne's Mexican Moonshine
Silver & Gold Tequila
 
Splendido at Rancho Vistoso
Chef Robert Kaslly
Baked Yule Log
 
SpunLight Cotton Candy
Chocolate Salted Caramel Silk
Aztec Chocolate Cotton Candy
 
Table of Elementz
Chef Alan Sanchez
The Road to Hana Dessert
Chocolate and BBQ
 
The Melting Pot
Chef Patrick Carlin
Ode to Mole Rojo Cocktail
Bananas Foster Chocolate Fondue Dessert
 
Three Wells Distilling Company 
Mt Lemon Gin
Sonoran Copper
 
Dragoon Brewing Company
Dragoon IPA
American IPA
Barrel-aged The Cuatro
Bourbon Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout
 
Fermented Tea
MochaBucha
 
Tickets are $45 per person with proceeds supporting SAACA’s Creative Arts Therapy Program for veterans and assisted living and retirement communities. The raffle will include a mix of restaurant gift certificates, dessert-themed items, artwork and more.
 
 
2016 Sweet Charity Dessert Challenge
When: Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
Where: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Dr.
Cost: $45 per person
Online: https://www.saaca.org/sweetcharity.html
Phone: (520) 797-3959
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages.