Bon Appétit Teams Help Wishes Come True in Oregon
- by bonappetit
Bon Appétit’s Pacific Northwest team members turned out for the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s fall festival. From left to right: Marc Marelich, regional director, Cara Brechler, regional director of activation, Asha Harrison-Bastidas, brand activation manager, and Ryan Jensen, general manager, George Fox University.
This fall, teams from Willamette University and Lewis & Clark College joined the Oregon chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the Foundation’s Fall Festival. From pumpkin decorating to crown-making and games, magic was made at this community-building event.
“There are many people in our district who hold Make-A-Wish close to their heart,” says Eric Thomas, general manager at Willamette. “Whenever they call, we’re more than happy to help out.” Indeed, many Bon Appétiters from the region turned out to lend a hand, including Cara Brechler, regional director of activation; Asha Harrison-Bastidas, brand activation manager; Marc Marelich, regional director, and Ryan Jensen, general manager at George Fox University in Newberg, OR.
Eric orchestrated the event with the organization, whose Oregon chapter CEO is a Willamette alumnus and where Eric’s wife is on staff. Apples were the theme of Bon Appétit’s offerings, which included bacon-apple puff pastry tarts from Megan Moss, a baker at Willamette.
Baco-apple tarts from Megan Moss, a baker at Willamette University.
An apple tasting featured fruit from partners A&J Orchards in the nearby Hood River Valley. Ryan, who was the general manager at Lewis & Clark at the time, led tastings of five different apple varieties — Buckeye gala, Gingergold, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Golden apple, and one Asian pear — in a range of colors and sizes.
A sheet detailing the varietals’ origins, flavors, and best uses (along with a printed recipe for apple and sweet potato latkes) helped guests build their food literacy while tasting delicious fruit. “What I love about Bon Appétit is that we can bring that education piece to any event and make it engaging, memorable, and delicious,” says Cara.
“It was such a pleasure to have the Bon Appétit team join our Make-A-Wish Fall Festival,” said Stephanie Shalkowsky, alumni and communications manager for Oregon Make-A-Wish. “We are so grateful for all the time and thought you all put into the display and goodies for our wish kids and families. They were so complimentary of the apple tasting and the pastries and we are just so appreciative for your support!”