Jon Riley, executive chef at Capers Catering, will compete in Cookie Creations

Jon Riley, executive chef at Capers Catering, will compete in Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts’ Cookie Creations on Thursday, February 6 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. Riley will compete against 13 top local chefs to create a unique dessert or appetizer using Girl Scout cookies as an ingredient.

Riley started his career working at pastry shops, hotels and restaurants after graduating from Johnson & Wales University. Later he was introduced to catering and fell in love with the business. His experiences as an executive chef and a pastry chef have proven to be invaluable assets as each day in the catering industry requires different skills. Riley’s greatest interest is in creating menu items using interesting ingredients in new ways. In 2006, he was named Catering Chef of the Year at the Catersource Conference in Las Vegas.

Other chefs competing in Cookie Creations include: Susan Abbott, executive pastry chef, The Catered Affair; Danny Angelopolus, Henrietta’s Table, The Charles Hotel, Harvard Sq.; Danielle Buxton, general manager, A Day to Remember, LLC; Brian Dandro, executive chef, The Royal Sonesta Hotel; Eunice Feller, chef and owner, Bread & Chocolate; Monica Glass, pastry chef, Clio; Donald Hernstrom, head chef and ice cream creator, J.P. Licks; Katie Kimble, pastry chef, Area Four; Lauren Kroesser, executive pastry chef, Eastern Standard; Christina Mercado, restaurant manager & pastry chef, Finale, Harvard Sq.; Brian Mercury, executive pastry chef, Harvest; and chefs from Kings Bowl America and Shake Shack.