We Knead the Dough gourmet pastry fair to benefit center

View file photoOrange Nutella cupcakes by Jean David Groff-Daudet, executive chef of Garfield?s Restaurant, are expected to be on the menu at the We Knead the Dough fundraiser set for Nov. 28 at Town Square Las Vegas. Advertisement

Everyone knows what a bake sale is, but what's a gourmet pastry fair?

"A gourmet pastry fair is a fundraiser for the Rape Crisis Center," said Hannah Johnston, director of development for the center. "We're going to have unique French pastries, organic breads, gourmet cupcakes and cookies, and even custom wedding cakes from renowned pastry chefs and local bakers who are coming together to offer these sweet creations on behalf of the Rape Crisis Center."

The event, dubbed We Knead the Dough, is scheduled to take place from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 28 at Town Square Las Vegas, across from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. There also will be cookie decorating for the kids and a surprise visit from Santa. All proceeds from the sale of baked items will directly benefit the Rape Crisis Center, located at 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., by helping to cover daily operating costs. The Rape Crisis Center is a nonprofit group that serves victims of sexual assault and their families in the Southern Nevada community.

"The center is many things in that not only do we provide advocacy to victims of sexual assault, but we also provide preventative education," Johnston said. "We want children, teens, young adults and adults to become more aware of their surroundings and recognize what is right and what is wrong. This includes learning about dating violence and self-respect."

The 35-year-old organization specializes in crisis intervention, advocacy, support and education to those affected by sexual violence. Advocates are available 24 hours a day throughout the year, providing support and answering questions.

Among the participating restaurants and bakeries will be B&B Restaurante, Café by Wolfgang Puck at the Springs Preserve, Carne Vino, Chef Fleming's Bake Shop, Delmonico Steak House, Emeril's New Orleans Fish House, Enoteca San Marco, Encore Las Vegas, Garfield's Restaurant on the Lake in Desert Shores/Summerlin, Layers Bakery Desserts, Loews Lake Las Vegas, Love to Eat Cake, Simon's, Stratosphere, Table 10 and Wynn Las Vegas.

"We're excited to bring this event to Las Vegas," said Janice Wolf, committee chairwoman and board member for the Rape Crisis Center. "I use the word 'bring' because I first did a similar event in Honolulu back in the early '90s to raise money for politically active women. To our surprise, we raised $20,000. This is the first opportunity I've had since then to reintroduce this type of event, and everyone throughout the community has been so receptive."

Besides accomplished chefs and bakers, Wolf also is looking for local home-bakers and organizations that want to participate in the fundraiser.

"If someone has a special banana bread or lemon drop cookie and would like to donate their item or items to us, that would be sincerely appreciated," she said. "All we ask is that you individually wrap each one in the manner you want it to be sold."

Jeanne Forrest, owner of Layers Bakery Desserts, 2708 N. Green Valley Parkway, will be donating a wedding cake valued at $750 to be auctioned off during the day.

"We're going to have a large poster of one of our cakes listing all the details," Forrest said. "Then we'll work with whoever buys the cake and design it to their specifications. It could be a four-cake presentation, meaning a tall cake where a 6-inch layer sits on top of an 8-inch layer that sits on top of a 10-inch and so on. I do know the cake will probably feed about 150 people, and it will take us about 30-35 hours to make, depending on the complexity of the design."

To donate baked goods to the We Knead the Dough fundraiser, call 385-2153.