By: Finance Foodie
Last Saturday, I died and went to heaven – dessert heaven that is!
The New England Dessert Showcase, held at the
Westin Copley Place Hotel, was a sugar lover’s paradise that was brimming with sweet treats -- including the World's Largest Creme Pie! This event, which drew everyone and their mothers (literally -- the line to get in was almost a mile deep at one point), featured dessert samples from all of Boston’s top bakeries and had a wide variety of offerings to please even the pickiest palate. I arrived near the close of the event, so I missed out on a lot of the samples (including the cool sounding beer-flavored ice cream that my friend
Megan sampled. Boo)! Not to fear though, because there were still other options still available to taste.
Among them were:
A chocolate mousse creation topped with ginger glazed tapioca pearls from
Top of the Hub. I though this was one of the better presented offerings (some of the desserts were errrmmm….basically thrown on a PAPER plate), but the ginger flavoring was a bit too strong. Also, the dessert was served lukewarm – I thought it could have been better if served chilled.
Ginger flavored mixed nuts. Looks like a theme has emerged.
Ginger Peach Granita from
Confectionism. Ok seriously, what’s with the ginger theme? Is ginger the new bacon?
Strawberry shortcake from
Japonaise. One of my favorites, as the cake was very flavorful but not overbearingly sweet.
Chocolate Lava Cake topped with Vanilla Ice Cream and Toffee Crumbles from
Chart House. Obviously this was one of the most popular desserts at the show, as I waited about 20 minutes in line for a sample. The combination of the cake, fudge, and ice cream was incredibly rich – almost too much so after all the previous desserts I consumed. I think if I had this first, it would have been the favorite of the day.
This was my first time at this annual dessert feast (
Team Finance Foodie’s “Fast Foodie” Cickay was invited to attend the event last year). Although I thought the dessert offerings were a plenty, I definitely think the event could have been better organized (judging by the mob of impatient attendees who waited forever to get in the venue and then had to wait some more once inside due to the viciously long lines at some of the more popular tables). Nevertheless, I left with a sugar high and a grin on my face.
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| In Front of the World's Largest Boston Creme Pie! |
All proceeds from the 2010 New England Dessert Showcase benefit the Children's Trust Fund (CTF), Massachusetts' only statewide organization dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect. For more information about the CTF and to learn about ways you can help, visit the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund's website.
This show was a disaster!! Over sold and I was not allowed in. I was not the only one that was angry. They need to refund our money, what an outrage!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLikewise, I did not get in either. But it wasn't the events fault - the hotel security was totally full of bull with them saying the line was closed. My girlfriend got in 2 hours after I was sent home. She had an awesome time. I did not. But the organizers already called me and a refund is coming. I am with everyone else but people, these guys will make it right. I am convinced after talking to them and hearing my gf's experiences inside the event.
ReplyDeleteI went and could not get in because they ran out of food and were too crowded. Still waiting for my refund.
ReplyDeleteStill waiting for my refund as well - this whole debacle PISSES ME OFF!!!
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. or Mrs. ANONYMOUS (all of you) - if you are going to say such negative things, use YOUR NAME. I did not get in either but this was far from a debacle. The event is great every other year. You're not going to get a refund instantly, and this stuff happens. This is a great event, and this is a great blog so don't wreck it with your ranting about something that is so small. I am sure we will all get our $20 back and waiting a week isn't going to kill you. Have some courage and sign your name.
ReplyDeleteMike.
All, I saw the long lines outside and I can sympathize and totally get the anger that you might have felt (afterall, if I paid for a ticket to an event, I would expect to have guaranteed admission). Obviously, the organizers made an error in underestimating the demand (us Bostonians love our desserts!). But let's please remember this event was for charity - if your money does not get refunded, at least it went to a good cause (I hope).
ReplyDeleteThis was actually a FANTASTIC event! the lines were unfortunate but that is expected at such a popular event. every other event I have attended that has been put on by Anthem has been flawless and this one despite the wait was well worth it! can't wait until next year's showcase!
ReplyDeleteAgreed with our host! This event was a good time, and the turnout is a learning lesson for future years. Lighten up everyone, its fun, its dessert, its charity, and its a good idea. I'm sure the 2011 event will be more like the 2009 event. I can't speak to the refunds since I was inside and loved it. But the company is very reputable it seems so I think ya'll be just fine.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so hilarious that people are getting SO bent out of shape about a dessert showcase. You can't help people just showing up at events - This doesn't mean it was over sold, it just means more people than tickets actually sold wanted DESSERT! The hotel security had NO idea what to do with the pushy masses and clearly there was big time lack of communication on their part from what I both saw and heard. The organizers are personally CALLING people (a friend of mine did not get in), not emailing, CALLING, people to offer them refunds. Get a grip people. This event was great, can't wait to go back!
ReplyDeleteI was able to get in and I had a great time. I agree with everyone that people need to lighten up. The hotel staff was rude and they had their facts mixed up that it was closed and there was no food left. I went in around 4pm and there was plenty of food to eat!
ReplyDeleteThere's a nasty blog from an Alexis Karlin out there- it's a shame that one person has a bad time and is set on making everyone agree with her and overthrow a company. Grow up.
-Julie
The dessert showcase event was phenomenal. Maybe that adds to your anger of being turned away, but let's not go bashing people unfairly because you didn't get to eat yourself silly. The demos were (legitimately) all world class, the exhibitors did great, the staff is great, anthem is a very reputable company (as many others have mentioned) and this event was fun. You not getting into the event is not the organizers fault when 10,000 people walk up. They seem to be taking action to fix that and I think tempering your hateful words is in order. To anyone reading this, go real late or go early next year, but go. Its a great time.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I had a great experience at the showcase! I arrived around 11:30, there was a HUGE line, of course, but that just goes to show how much excitement the event had behind it. I believe that this showcase had an excellent concept..We all have sweet tooths, right? So why not bring in the best exhibitors from across New England for all of Boston to enjoy? They had a HUGE boston creme pie which was hilarious and a variety of excellent exhibitors, I understand that most of you did not get in, which stinks! I own a business myself and have attended Anthem events for quite a while and can't help to see this from a business perspective.... this showcase is an excellent concept ..however, only problem was, is that there was WAY too many people flowing in at once! Instead of bashing Anthem for catching the attention of so many maybe we should all have some constructive criticism for them so we can ALL enjoy a spectacular showcase next year. I have been to numerous events of theirs and met so many staff members. They are 100% dedicated to delivering an enjoyable entertainment experience for their customers...do you all honestly think that this is what they intended for you all to experience? NO WAY...all they wanted to do was bring an exquisite and delightful experience to boston, where something like this is unique...the staff was very overwhelmed that day as well because there was so much going on, I was observing it all. I was floating around for the whole day and came in early and came back around 4. I couldn't believe how crazy it got. However, they DID offer refunds for those of you who did not get in...which is fairly reasonable i would say.....and I wouldn't personally complain if i was getting a refund anyways. Also, from my understanding, living social and groupon were 3rd party websites that advertised the wrong times and probably did not track how many tickets they were selling off their website as long as they were making money themselves...that could be a major reason as to why this event was so overbooked...so we can't blame Anthem fully...People were also taking WAY too many samples...Regardless, I had a great time and am looking forward to next year's showcase and hope you all can have an enjoyable experience there as well since there will definitely be improvements so that everyone can get in and enjoy everything!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I had a great experience at the showcase! I arrived around 11:30, there was a HUGE line, of course, but that just goes to show how much excitement the event had behind it. I believe that this showcase had an excellent concept..We all have sweet tooths, right? So why not bring in the best exhibitors from across New England for all of Boston to enjoy? They had a HUGE boston creme pie which was hilarious and a variety of excellent exhibitors, I understand that most of you did not get in, which stinks! I own a business myself and have attended Anthem events for quite a while and can't help to see this from a business perspective.... ..however, only problem was, is that there was WAY too many people flowing in at once! Instead of bashing Anthem for catching the attention of so many maybe we should all have some constructive criticism for them so we can ALL enjoy a spectacular showcase next year. I have been to numerous events of theirs and met so many staff members. They are 100% dedicated to delivering an enjoyable entertainment experience for their customers....the staff was very overwhelmed that day as well because there was so much going on, I was observing it all. However, they DID offer refunds for those of you who did not get in...which is fairly reasonable i would say.....and I wouldn't personally complain if i was getting a refund anyways. Also, from my understanding, living social and groupon were 3rd party websites that advertised the wrong times and probably did not track how many tickets they were selling off their website as long as they were making money themselves...that could be a major reason as to why this event was so overbooked...so we can't blame Anthem fully...People were also taking WAY too many samples...Regardless, I had a great time and am looking forward to next year's showcase and hope you all can have an enjoyable experience there as well since there will definitely be improvements !
ReplyDeleteIt is great that the people who got in had a wonderful time, but I'm really annoyed at folks who got in telling those of us who didn't to "lighten up"!
ReplyDeleteWhether it was a mistake on the part of security, the hotel staff or the event organizers, obviously this year's event had issues.
How many of us paid to get in and were turned away?
How many people (besides me) bought tickets as a gift for someone else (it was my foodie niece's 13th birthday) and then were turned away at the door?
A life lesson in disappointment was not the gift I had planned!
I am still waiting to hear back about my refund. Not holding my breath, but hoping the organizers will make this right.
Reilly