Contributed Photo/Courtesy Bashas’: One Thatcher youth’s entry, “Chew-Donut”, a Star-Wars-inspired Chewbacca donut with coconut flakes as his fur and a stripe of chocolate for his belt, was awarded as runner-up.
The winning donuts will be available at Bashas’ starting Friday, June 7
Contributed Article
ARIZONA – Thanks to a Gilbert teen and a Mesa grown-up, some new pop-culture donut flavors will soon appear in Bashas’ bakery cases statewide, just in time for National Donut Day this Friday, June 7. The winners of Bashas’ ninth-annual Donut Flavor Craze contest are: a 17-year-old from Gilbert for her “Pot of Honey” donut and a grown-up from Mesa for his “What’s Up, Doc?” donut.
As part of its annual competition, Bashas’ invited kids and grown-ups across the state to dream up the best pop-culture-inspired donut flavors for the grocer’s bakery cases. Submissions included flavors inspired by Taylor Swift, Prince, Jimmy Buffett, Pac-Man, Star Wars, and more. A panel of local celebrity judges helped Bashas’ to select the winning donut flavors. The grocer will now award the contest’s grand prize to one teen and one grown-up.
Elizabeth B., a 17-year-old from Gilbert, submitted the winning donut in the kids’ category. Her “Pot of Honey” donut was inspired by the beloved children’s story character, Winnie-the-Pooh. This donut has crumbled Nilla wafters and a drizzle of honey on top, with two Nilla cookies placed on top of the donut for ears.
Brian Vehon from Mesa submitted the winning donut in the grown-ups category. His “What’s Up, Doc?” donut was inspired by Bugs Bunny. This donut features a light cream cheese frosting with carrot cake crumbles on top.
The two winning donuts will be available for purchase in Bashas’ bakery cases across the state starting this Friday, June 7 (National Donut Day). When customers purchase a dozen donuts at Bashas’ this Friday, they will receive an additional six donuts for free. Bashas’ will also donate 10% of its donut sales on Friday, June 7, 2024 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 2024, Elizabeth and Brian will each receive one dozen donuts every month for a year from Bashas’ bakery, and $500 worth of prizes, including a Bashas’ gift card.
The youth category runner-up is 10-year-old Florence W. from Thatcher; she will receive a $50 Bashas’ gift card for her “Chew-Donut,” a Star-Wars-inspired Chewbacca donut with coconut flakes as his fur and a stripe of chocolate for his belt.
The adult category runner-up is Keyana Hokanson from Mesa; she will receive a $50 Bashas’ gift card for her “Despicable Donut,” which was inspired by the Minions and featured banana-cream filling and a yellow, banana-flavored frosting.
The three honorable mentions in the youth category went to 8-year-old Matilda W. from Thatcher for her “Bluey-Blueberry Donut,” 16-year-old Isabella L. from Buckeye for her “Inheritance Games Donut,” and 17-year-old Owen R. from Phoenix for his “Pac-Man Donut.” The three honorable mentions in the adult category went to Danny Hale from Mesa for his “Swiftie Donut,” Mark Kirner from Peoria for his “Jimmy Buffett Donut,” and Heather Hirsch from Phoenix for her “Purple Rain Donut.” All six will each receive a $20 Bashas’ gift card.
About National Donut Day
National Donut Day was originally established to honor The Salvation Army’s service to soldiers during World War I. Around 250 volunteers traveled overseas to provide emotional and spiritual support, sweet treats, clothes, and supplies to troops. These women, known as “Donut Lassies,” made and hand-delivered donuts to the front lines and are often credited with popularizing the donut in the United States when the troops returned home from war.
About Bashas’ Family of Stores
Bashas’ Family of Stores is a division of The Raley’s Companies. The grocer operates in Arizona, New Mexico, and four Tribal Nations under five well-known brands including Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets. Founded in 1932, the grocer has a rich history of serving families with quality products and great customer service. With more than 100 supermarkets in Arizona, Bashas’ is one of the largest employers in the state and one of the Best Places to Work. Bashas’ has given back more than $100 million to the communities it serves. For more information, visit bashas.com.
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