Nation Food Bloggers Great American Bake Sale Success!

I can't think of any other time that I planned an event that wasn't stressful- they usually are. But this one was different. All the "cards" just sorta fell into place, and this past Saturday we had our long awaited National Food Bloggers Great American Bake Sale! We had a great time and a great turn out!


I can't begin to say enough good things about the great folks that hosted us, 5th and Wine, in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. Not only did they let us use all of the tables and chairs we needed, but let us have an entire room in the restaurant with it's own entrance off a main touristy intersection. Restaurant patrons were encouraged by the amazing staff to stop by our display after dining to purchase some goodies to take home. They even went so far to include the details of the event in a mass email to their customers, as well as promoting it on Facebook to their fans. Scott Yanni, the establishments General Manager, continuously made sure we were well taken care of at all times, and even had his own (huge!) family come to the event. Scott, I thank you from the bottom of my heart...


We had a fantastic raffle with donations of One hour Zoom teeth whitening and Sonicare Electric toothbrush from Harris Dental, two $25 Gift certificates from 5th and Wine, a $50 online gift certificate from DeMarco's Italian Specialties, a King Arthur Flour gift basket and a beautiful glass Apothecary jar filled with chocolates.


We met so many happy, joyful people excited to help and splurge on sweets for the cause. We also heard so many comments on not only the variety of the goodies we had, but their uniqueness as well. Lemon Basil Shortbread was one fabulous donation from a friend, Sharon, excited to bake for the cause. She said she lie awake at night trying to come up with something different, and let me tell you, they were fabulous!

For a couple years now I've been a huge fan of Arizona's own Food Hunters Guide to Cuisine, a fab blog for all things Tuscan and tasty. She helped tremendously behind the scenes, promoting and baking delicious Frosted Orange Bars, Lemon Ricotta Muffins (to die for!), amazing Mosaic Biscotti and more. It was a joy to meet her for the very first time at our bake sale!

My friend Kim made her signature Coconut, chocolate chip, and almond drop cookies, which are absolutely fantastic... I considered buying half even before the bake sale!

Through the Share Our Strength website a gal named Meg, here in Arizona, got a hold of me to find out how she could help. After making 125 brownies decorated with cute little bows, she drove them to my house, almost 40 miles one way, a couple days before the event!

Thanks to Andrea of All Caked Up, a local bakery within Dominics Bistro Italiano for providing some fabulous cupcakes and frosted Toll House treats as well. I still havent met Andrea yet, but if she is half as sweet as her mom, who raved about her baked goods, then I can't wait to meet her!

My friend Gail made dozens of Pizelles to my utter joy, and my mother in law, Lynda, made so many wonderful treats I considered keeping them for myself ;)


After reconnecting with a dear friend, Victor, from high school who is now located in Hawaii, I received an email from his wife, Vicki. They had a friend who had recently moved to Arizona who didn't know anyone, "is a prolific baker", and would I mind some help for the bake sale..?! We made a new friend that day in Sara, who has to have made the best Scharfenberger brownies I have ever tasted, and stayed to help all day with the sale.

Some months ago at the signing for the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook (that's me and my kidlet in the second photo down with Ree!), I happened to be Tweeting about the event while I was there, and met a sweet gal named Stephanie, a tweet addict as well, that just warmed my heart and entertained my little one with bubble gum. When she heard me tweet about the bake sale she volunteered to bake immediately. She stayed to help as well on Saturday, bringing Donut Pops, Neopolitan Mini Cupcakes, and the truly coveted French Macaron's in toffee and s'mores flavors....Mmmmmmm!

With the help of my mom, Marian, who handled taking care of the sale of goodies and raffles while us gals grabbed passer's by with some hoots and hollers, our team was able to earn just over $500 for Share Our Strength!


Thanks to all that came out to visit us on Saturday- purchasing, donating, encouraging, and keeping us laughing. We had a blast, and couldn't have had a sale without all of you!