There was intense competition this morning at the GMG Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition Mug Up. Five excellent entries were received, which were blind tasted and judged by the attendees. The runaway winning chocolate chip cookie was submitted by Alexandra’s Bread of Gloucester. The 2nd place chocolate chip cookie was lovingly baked by Sue McDermott of Magnolia. Paul Morrison was awarded Best in Show for the most artistic and creative cookies baked in the shape of a duck, set onto a boat of vanilla ice cream and surrounded by waves of whipped cream. I didn’t get a shot of a completed presentation of Paul’s creation, so if anyone did, please send it in or upload it. Other entries were submitted by Alicia Cox from Mamie’s Kitchen and a 2nd entry was submitted by Alexandra’s Bread
In my book, although all the cookies were excellent and I had a hard time picking the best one, my absolute favorite contribution to the morning was Al Bezanson’s schooner fare of crispy fried Spam and pineapple chunks. It was just incredible. I haven’t had Spam in probably 50 years, and have never it served like that. True genious. If I’m ever stranded on a deserted island, all I want is cans of Spam and pineapple chunks (and of course a can opener – it would be a total drag if I didn’t have a can opener).
Thanks to Donna & Rick Ardizonni for the fruit salad and whipped cream, Kathy Chapman for the fruit salad with yogurt, Gigi Mederos for making the coffee and bringing cookies, Alma McLaughlin for hosting in her beautiful back patio area and providing the doughnuts from Jim’s Bagel & Bake Shop, and all the others who brought contributions but I didn’t see who brought what, although I think Giclee James brought the blueberry muffins.
Another great Mug Up.
E.J. Lefavour
Good Morning Gloucester 
My vote for biggest surprise would be for Al’s Spam and Pineapple too. A very tasty combo. The Spam was fried until the edges got a nice spammy edge to them. I ate Spam as a kid with powdered milk. Now that was a cheap lunch. Not sure I will be trying powdered milk anytime soon but Spam is now back on my very edible list.
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And now that you got me thinking about pineapple, do you know whole pineapples are only $2.99 at Market Basket? It can sit on your counter for days then a little trimming an slicing and big pineapple chunks can be stuck on skewers for the grill. Goes with anything from hot dogs to chicken or cow. Throw the rest of the chunks in the fridge for noshing. Pineapple has to be good for you. And they are genetically modifying them to be virus resistant, nematode resistant, maturation deferred and they are modifying the sugar content and blossom time. Next thing you know they will skewer themselves and jump on the barbecue.
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Alexandras have the best cookies hands down
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EJ, thanks, that was a great time and I put enough food away to last all day. It’s my fault you did not get a shot of Paul’s masterpiece.
FULL DISCLOSURE ON SPAM…. I have logged a lot of time in Hormel processing plants and can say the ingredients and processing technology used for Spam are the absolute best. And that goes for Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash as well. All Hormel products and No. 1 in sales in their category. Discerning sailors traveling without refrigeration agree and set off on ocean crossings heavily laden with these treats. BTW, a can opener was never required for Spam in my memory. Don’t you remember the key that came attached to the lid?
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Congratulations Paul, on being awarded most artistic and creative cookie in the shape of a duck. Had you been recognized in any other category I would have been forced to submit a formal protest.:)
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By the way, I was in Hawaii in March, and I believe Dole is working on growing a genetically skewered pineapple. I saw the fields.
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Sounds like you had so much fun. Had to work otherwise I would have been there
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Great time and the view was amazing
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Thanks EJ for hosting yet another super fun mug up!!
Am I the only person who voted for Paul’s RD cookies–yummy and sweet idea? I know they were made with Pilsbury dough, but what can I say, I have been deemed as having prosaic taste buds because I like Dunkin Donuts Iced Latte, especially the ones made at the DD across the street from Wolf Hill!!
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Kim, I actually was really torn between Paul’s cookie and the Alexandra’s cookie that I finally voted for – and he did end up with a few more votes. He definitely deserved the award for most creative for sure.
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I think I lost the vegan vote because of those unwilling to bite the head off of a duck in a kayak having so much fun paddling an ice cream kayak on a sea of whipped cream. Next year I will make an alternative set with a cookie in the shape of a stalk of celery.
I also should find a better dough alternative since the Pillsbury Dough Boy carries too much psychological baggage ever since Ghost Busters and then there is this fiasco of a commercial:
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Oooo gross – dough poop!
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Wish I could have been there…without even tasting I would have voted for Paul’s cookie…I like, as he describes them…the “stiff” ones. Ah…the crunch!
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