4 minute read
OUTSIDE THE BOX
By Elizabeth Warner
Outside the Box, hosted by Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee and held at the Harpeth Hotel in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, was a resounding success. The organization’s 9th annual fundraiser brought together renowned restaurants The Franklin Mercantile, 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails, Cork & Cow, and Mere Bulles. Each restaurant showcased its expertise in creating exceptional desserts in a friendly competition featuring iconic Girl Scout cookies.
The Franklin Mercantile a beloved local establishment known for its southern breakfast favorites, specialty sandwiches, and homemade desserts created a Thin Mint Pie. Head Chef Bella Campbell and Kristin Warwick, apprentice, stole the show and won “Best Representation of the Girl Scout Cookie.”
Mere Bulles, known for its innovative fusion cuisine, elevated the dessert experience with its unique creation, a Dulce De Leche Cup with Banana Pudding Whip Cream. Executive Chef Julius Gilbert blended traditional flavors with a modern twist, resulting in a dessert that was both familiar and exciting. Attendees ultimately awarded this inventive combination by voting Mere Bulles’ dessert as the event’s “Crowd Favorite.”
1799 Kitchen and Cocktails, located inside The Harpeth Hotel, showcased not one but two desserts. Pastry Chef Cher Von Tiedemann created a mouthwatering Lemon Mignardise and a Tag-a-long Eton Mess with a peanut butter meringue, fudge sauce, and Chantilly Cream. 1799 demonstrated their commitment to excellence, leaving a lasting impression on all who tried their dessert.
Cork & Cow, known for its exceptional steaks, surprised the attendees with Chef Nick Campbell’s exquisite Do-si-do Chocolate Mousse Pie. Each slice was a creamy and rich delight, and attendees appreciated the effort and skill put into creating such a memorable dessert.
In addition to delectable desserts, Outside the Box was attended by several distinguished guests including Miss Franklin USA, Rita Arreola, Miss Capital City USA, Amanda Bell, as well as several of Williamson County’s mayors. Nolensville Mayor, Halie Gallik, shared her personal experience as a Girl Scout and emphasized the importance of Girl Scouting in shaping young girls into strong, confident individuals. Mayor Gallik emphasized the importance of Girl Scouts in providing young girls with a safe and supportive environment to develop their skills and leadership abilities. She expressed her gratitude towards Girl Scouts for instilling in her the values of teamwork, perseverance, and community service. Mayor Gallik’s speech served as a reminder of the invaluable role Girl Scouts play in shaping the future generation of women leaders.
Outside the Box was a celebration of the accomplishments of Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee. Each dessert created serves as a reminder of the way the Girl Scout Cookie Program empowers young girls to flex their entrepreneurial skills.
The night concluded with a word from Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee’s new President and CEO, Danielle Barnes, who shared her excitement for joining such an incredible organization as well as her vision for the future of Girl Scouting in Middle Tennessee.
The Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee cater to 39 counties, with a membership exceeding 12,500 Girl Scouts and 4,500 volunteers. Their mission involves equipping girls for the future through education in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), Outdoor Adventures, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship. Through these initiatives, the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee are empowering girls and making a positive impact on the world.
To learn more about the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee and their programs visit gsmidtn.org. Follow them on social media at @gsmidtn.
ELIZABETH WARNER is the Membership Specialist for the Southwest Region of Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee. She and Megan Bush, the Southwest Regional Executive, co-chaired the Outside the Box event. Warner grew up as a Girl Scout and has been with the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee as a Leader and Volunteer since 2021. She resides in Franklin with her husband and daughter and enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, and a multitude of creative hobbies.
