“Cookiefest” Began as a Family and Community Tradition
Chef Tracy Green, instructor of Newport High School’s Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry classes, started taking her own children to Macy’s for their “Cookiefest” fundraiser 30 years ago. Seattle’s best local bakers and confectioners donated baked goods for the fundraiser for the Seattle Milk Fund, now known as Goodwin Connections in honor of female philanthropist and Seattle trailblazer, Edna Goodwin. Founded in 1907, Goodwin Connections supports local families and the community by funding childcare grants and providing family support so that young parents can pursue higher education.
“The cookiefest fundraiser reminds me of my little kids going down to Macy’s and buying cookies and decorating gingerbread houses ― it was part of our holiday. If you asked them about it today as adults they would talk about it fondly.”
Newport High School CTE Students Show Their Skills in Community Fundraiser
Chef Green saw an opportunity for her students to apply their craft and joined local businesses in donating baked goods to “Cookiefest” to raise money for the Seattle Milk Fund in 2005. Macy’s was hesitant to allow high school students to participate alongside the professional bakers providing cookies. However, Chef Green’s classes proved their cookies could compete with the pros, and they were invited back annually until Macy’s ended its partnership with the event in 2018. Chef Green decided to continue the tasty tradition supporting the Seattle Milk Fund by bringing the fundraiser to Newport High School.
“I am so proud of what we have done in the past through Cookiefest/Seattle Milk Fund and look forward to seeing where we can take Cookiefest in the future now that it is totally our event.”
Baking for a Cause
Each student in the classes baked three distinct types of cookies for a total of 60 varieties of for the fundraiser. They tested their recipes for the December 11 Newport High School faculty meeting, then adjusted the final versions of their tasty treats. The classes baked over 120 dozen cookies for this year’s sale and will be making a $1,000 donation to Goodwin Connections. The fundraiser also helps fund the Newport Knives cooking and baking team’s travel and entry into competitions.
“After 10 months virtual, almost two years in a mask, world gone mad, it felt so good to just bake and create.”
