Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Arizona’s hometown grocer named a 12-year-old from Queen Creek and grown-ups from Phoenix and Mesa as winners of this year’s donut flavor competition, just in time for National Donut Day on June 4. A Baklava donut and two crème-filled donuts took the top prize in Bashas’ sixth-annual contest.
Last month, Bashas’ invited kids and grownups across the state to dream up the best new global flavor for the hometown grocer’s donut cases this year. Submissions included global flavors inspired by Italy, Greece, Peru and more. A panel of local celebrity judges then selected the three winning donut flavors – awarding the grand prize to one kid and two grown-ups.
Twelve-year-old Queen Creek resident Braxton B. submitted the winning donut in the kids’ category. His Italian-inspired Kinder Joy Donut is filled with buttercream, topped with chocolate hazelnut spread and then covered with crushed wafer cookies.
Heather Hirsch from Phoenix submitted the winning donut in the grown-up category. Her Greek-inspired Baklava Donut is made with cinnamon, then dipped in a honey glaze and topped with chopped pistachios.
Mesa resident Kristine Pearce, who works at the Bashas’ supermarket at Baseline and Crismon Roads, submitted the winning donut in the member/employee category. Her Peruvian-inspired Delirium Donut is filled with Bavarian cream, topped with chocolate icing, sprinkled with crushed pecans and drizzled with caramel.
All three winning donuts will be available for purchase in Bashas’ bakery cases across the state starting June 4. When customers purchase a dozen donuts at Bashas’ on June 4, they will receive an additional six donuts for free. Bashas’ also will donate 10 percent of its donut sales on June 4 to the Salvation Army, which established National Donut Day in June 1938 to honor volunteers who served the sweet treats to soldiers on the frontlines.
In addition to being named Bashas’ Official Donut Ambassadors for 2021, Braxton, Hirsch and Pearce will each receive $500 worth of prizes including a Bashas’ grocery gift card, baking/cooking gadgets, family-fun activities and one dozen donuts every month for a year.
