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Fairmont Hotels and Make-A-Wish: A Sweet Collaboration for a Noble Cause

On April 17, 2025, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts partnered with Make-A-Wish to celebrate World Wish Day by hosting the first-ever Bake-A-Wish Challenge. This inspiring event took place at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle and showcased a delightful culinary competition bringing together young alumni from Make-A-Wish and top chefs from Fairmont.

A Culinary Showdown of Dreams

The Bake-A-Wish Challenge was not just a baking contest; it was a unique gathering where three remarkable young individuals, Roux (18), Theo (9), and Jacqueline (16), collaborated with three renowned Fairmont chefs. The chefs included Chef Nancy Guerrero from Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, Chef Isabel Chung from Fairmont Empress in Victoria, and Chef Eraj Jayawickreme from Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Together, they embarked on a mission to create the most 'wish worthy' dessert, blending the personal stories of the wish alumni with the culinary expertise of the chefs.

Hosted by the charismatic Melanie Sutrathada, the event was filled with creativity, passion, and a shared excitement for cooking. Each young participant teamed up with a Fairmont chef, who helped them craft desserts inspired by their individual wishes and experiences. The outcome? An array of spectacular desserts that reflect both the imagination of the wish alumni and the skills of the chefs.

Sweet Inspirations

The creations featured a variety of flavors and inspirations:
1. S'mores Cake: Inspired by Roux's fondness for chocolate and marshmallows, this cake was crafted by Chef Eraj. It included a decadent graham cracker cake paired with a rich chocolate filling and topped off with freshly made, torched marshmallows, capturing a nostalgic moment of sharing s'mores under the stars.

2. Coconut Tres Leches with Caramelized Pineapple: Theo's dessert paid homage to cherished family baking traditions. By infusing his love for piña colada mocktails from a wish trip to Hawaii, Chef Nancy crafted a beautiful coconut tres leches cake topped with delicious caramelized pineapple.

3. Passionfruit Strawberry Yogurt Cake: Jacqueline's deep love for strawberries inspired this dessert by Chef Isabel. Combining flavors from her Guatemalan heritage, the cake was infused with passionfruit and topped with delicate edible flowers reminiscent of her Quinceañera.

Each dessert not only tantalized the taste buds but also told a story of connection, joy, and shared moments. The excitement in the room was palpable as judges sampled the creations, focusing on the inspiration behind each dish.

A Sweet Conclusion

While Chef Isabel's Strawberry Yogurt Cake won the title for its creative execution, Fairmont's admiration for all three desserts led them to offer all creations on their menus worldwide. Starting on April 29th, Fairmont Hotels will feature one of the Bake-A-Wish desserts for a limited time, with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish.

Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont, expressed his heartfelt thoughts: "For over 115 years, we've turned moments into memories, and through our partnership with Make-A-Wish, we strive to make dreams come true for children battling critical illnesses. These desserts are a small way to celebrate that mission and honor World Wish Day."

Leslie Motter, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, highlighted the importance of community support in granting life-changing wishes and expressed gratitude for Fairmont's collaboration.

This inaugural Bake-A-Wish Challenge marks a significant step in Fairmont's ongoing commitment to the 'Wishes Start Here' program, which aims to make a positive difference in the lives of children around the world. As the partnership between Fairmont and Make-A-Wish continues to flourish, it reminds us all of the magic that a wish can hold, transforming not only the lives of children but their families as well.

Together, they serve as a beacon of hope and joy, proving that through collaboration and creativity, dreams can indeed come true.