2016 Samoa Soiree

On Saturday, March 5, more than 500 guests attended the 8th annual Samoa Soiree, a unique tasting event hosted by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, where top chefs use Girl Scout Cookies as a key ingredient to make desserts and appetizers. This year, 14 restaurants participated in the culinary competition, which took place at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk.

The culinary delights were judged by local celebrities and foodies, including WVEC Reporter Ashley Smith, who also served as the emcee for the evening, Angela Blue, editor-in-chief of Coastal Virginia Magazine; Don London, vice president of operations at Entercom Communications; Marisa Marsey with VEER Magazine; and Steve Parnell, account executive with Little Brownie Bakers.

This year’s winning dishes were:

Dishes by Gourmet Gang and HomeGrown

Best Dessert: Thin Mint Cake Pops by RJ's Cafe at the Salvation Army Kroc Center

Best Savory: Make Your Own Do-si-dos Salad by Now You're Cooking Culinary Studio

Best Presentation: Thin Mints Blackberry Cheesecake with Samoas Crust by Gourmet Gang

Most Creative Use of a Girl Scout Cookie: Rah Rah Raisins Sausage with Lemon Cream Sauce by HomeGrown

Best in Show: Spicy Thin Mint Beef Pad Thai and Tangelo Ice Cream with Rah Rah Raisins Waffle Cone by Cyprus Grille at Embassy Suites Hampton

People’s Choice for Best Savory: Savannah Smiles Chicken by Tap It Local

People's Choice for Best Dessert: Thin Mints Blackberry Cheesecake with Samoas Crust by Gourmet Gang

This year’s participating restaurants included: Anchor Allie’s Bistro, The Butcher’s Son, Cyprus Grille at Embassy Suites, Farm Fresh Supermarkets, Freemason Abbey Restaurant, Gourmet Gang, HomeGrown, Now You’re Cooking, The Press Norfolk, RJ’s Café at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, Tap It Local, Travinia Italian Kitchen, Twisted Sisters Cupcakes and The Vineyards Trattoria.

In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the national Girl Scout Cookie Program, guests at Samoa Soiree enjoyed live entertainment from 504 Supreme Band, a local ensemble known for their high-energy swing and jazz music.

Proceeds from the event will support the Opportunity Fund, which provides financial assistance to girls whose families need help with Girl Scout membership, summer camp and program fees.

A huge thank you to this year's sponsors: PRA Group, TowneBank, Little Brownie Bakers, Greenbrier Dodge, Patrick Cvitanovich and Suzanne Aldridge of UBS, Wall, Einhorn and Chernitzer P.C., The Miles Agency, Kaufman and Canoles, Farm Fresh Supermarkets, Top Guard Security, Nathan and Co. Real Estate Team, WVEC-TV 13, The New 101.3, Yelp, Coastal Virginia Magazine, VEER Magazine and Tidewater Women Magazine.

View more photos from the event here.