Outside the Box Dessert Challenge 
The Contest
Chefs will create a dessert inspired by the flavor profile of a randomly assigned cookie. Cookies may garnish but cannot be used in the recipe. Your dessert must be original and available for purchase in your restaurant from February 20-28, 2026.
Community members will visit restaurants to sample desserts and vote online (one vote per person). A panel of local chefs, influencers, news personalities, and Girl Scouts leadership will judge desserts based on presentation, overall flavor, and complexity and likeness to the inspirational cookie.
Logistics
Chefs will receive an event packet a week before the contest, including a QR code display, map links, printed maps, marketing materials, and eight boxes of their designated cookie. Additional cookies can be purchased through Girl Scouts. Your dessert and location will be featured on the map distributed before the event.
How to Win
Scores combine community votes and judges' rankings. Winners will be announced on May 7, 2026 at the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Dinner.
How to Enter
Register your restaurant by making a one-time $100 tax-deductible donation to Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia.
Columbus Women of Distinction
The Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award honors women who reflect the values in the Girl Scout Promise and Law and who serve as excellent role models for girls. These women exemplify the mission of Girl Scouts as their contributions continue to make their communities and the world a better place.
This year, we are proud to honor Dr. Kia L. Chambers, Susan Gallagher, Geneice R. Granville, and Buffy Swinehart as the Columbus Women of Distinction. They will be honored at special dinner on May 8, 2026 from 6:30-9:00 p.m at Columbus State University's Cunningham Center.
Stay tuned for more information about our 2026 honorees.
Check out our list of previous Columbus Women of Distinction honorees!
Thank you to our generous 2025 sponsors!
Gold Sponsor
- Growing Room Child Development Centers
Silver Sponsors
- New Horizons Behavioral Health
- Peak Wooten McDaniel & Colwell LLP
- W.L. Amos, Sr. Foundation
Bronze Sponsors
- Columbus State University
- Greystone Properties
- Piedmont Columbus Regional
- Shelby & Wanda Amos Foundation
- Synovus
Juliette Low Sponsors
- Kinetic Credit Union
- Jeanella Pendleton
