Calling All Cookie Bakers!

by Noella Noelophile®

(Royalty-free image by Silvia from Pixabay.)

The scent of fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies.  The spicy taste of gingerbread.  The aromas of vanilla, sugar and lemon peel, wafting through the kitchen.

If all of these sound like your kitchen at Christmastime–and you’re in Southern California–Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (C.A.T.) would like to hear from you.

Specifically, they’d like to invite you to enter the Long Beach Bake-Off and Christmas Cookie Contest for Charity, happening Sunday, December 10th!

(And now is the perfect time to plan on entering and having fun.)

(Royalty-free image by dmarr515 from Pixabay.)

Participants are asked to bring one plate of at least two dozen made-from-scratch cookies, cupcakes or brownies to Bay Shore Community Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, that Sunday afternoon between 4:00 and 4:45.   (Think: enough to feed three judges and 24 guests.)

Judges, according to Justin’s website, will be selecting winners based on four criteria: taste, appearance, quality and first impression.  (Yes–making a great first impression is important–even for a cookie!)

Private judging happens at 4:45.   Three entrants will win, both $50 to donate to their favorite local charity or organization, and bragging rights that their specialty won the contest!

(Roylaty-free image by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay.)

But there’s also a better prize, for everyone: you get to watch people enjoy your favorite recipe, during the Tasting Reception at 6:30!

That reception follows something special: Community Action Team’s annual Joy to the World free Christmas concert, to which you’re invited!

(Royalty-free image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay.)

A twenty-six-piece brass, percussion and harp ensemble will play seasonal favorites for 90 minutes, starting at 5 pm.   These talented musicians “sell out” tickets every year, so now is definitely the time to reserve your seats.   Here’s the link for information.

The Joy to the World Christmas concert is a free, donation-based event, and attendees are asked to bring food bank items, and/or a pack of men’s socks, to donate to organizations serving the homeless.

Now–about those cookies and baked goods.

(Royalty-free image by Larry White from Pixabay.)

Participation in the “Long Beach Bake-Off and Christmas Cookie Contest” is free, and you can register here.   Meanwhile, here’s the link to the contest rules.

Have fun, and may the best cookies, cupcakes, or otherwise, win!

The 2023 Long Beach Bake-Off and Christmas Cookie Contest happens Sunday, December 10th at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 5100 E. The Toledo, near Granada.  Participants are requested to drop off their entries between 4:00 and 4:45 pm.  Participation is free; here’s the link for registration.

And while the judges are making their selections, come enjoy excellent music by a gifted ensemble, at the “Joy to the World” Christmas concert in the church sanctuary!  Admission is free; attendees are requested to bring canned goods and/or men’s socks to donate to homeless services.   But be sure to register ahead of time–this concert fills to capacity and has a waitlist, every year!  Doors open at 4:30, and please plan to be seated by 4:40 pm; the 90-minute concert starts at 5.

Can’t enter the Christmas Cookie Contest but would still love to attend the Tasting Reception, following the concert?  You’re welcome to come see, and taste, the entries in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30!  A $5 donation is suggested.