Week five’s sweet and savoury snack category winner is Sonya Walos for her “The Smart Cookie.” Smart because it is gluten-free and President’s Choice made it even smarter by baking it in their peanut-free facility.
Sonya is a bar manager in Whistler, BC, who had discovered she was gluten intolerant. She developed a cookie she could actually eat containing flavours she loves. She is right. How many gluten-free cookies with coconut and cinnamon have you seen at the store?
THE PRODUCT
This is what you get in your box of her PC Gluten-Free “The Smart Cookie” for $3.99. I personally received 14 cookies in plastic container topped with plastic film.
PRODUCT REVIEW
So are these smart cookies? Well my apparent inability to enjoy any store-bought cookie continues to plague me. I just do not like them and am wondering if I ever will. As a result, I turned to Reg for his opinion.
He loved them! He especially adored the hint of cinnamon in them and found the flavour of the cookie to be quite wild. I mentioned that there was also coconut in it and he nodded his head, that accounted for the unusual flavour. It may look like a traditional chocolate chip cookie but we can both assure you, it is not when it comes to flavour.
Yes, I do not like store-bought cookies but one thing that did stand out to me as additionally unpleasant is the grainy texture from the rice flour. I attempted gluten-free baking years ago and this is where I always got stuck. There is no way around it, you bake with rice flour and it is going to be grainy, just like these cookies.
I do appreciate that Sonya incorporated some really healthy components to this “Smart Cookie” with flaxseeds, puffed corn, puffed quinoa, crisp brown rice… These are a health enthusiast’s dream of a cookie so it does earn its “smart” title. Unfortunately, I personally will have to pass on this product due to issues of texture and because they were so very dry. I can only give them one out of five wooden spoons but I am sure Reg would give them at least a four.
THE RECIPE
I know a lot of people are gluten-intolerant and would love to be able to make these cookies at home and you can! You can find Sonya’s “The Smart Cookie” recipe here.
SHOW UPDATE
Last night I heard from my Twitter friend Sally who had asked me if I had heard that Sonya was no long going to be continuing in the competition? I was shocked! I had not heard a thing so I contacted the company who wrote in response:
“…after the episode was filmed, it was discovered that Sonya has an immediate family member who works for one of the entities involved with Recipe to Riches, which makes her ineligible to participate in the contest. This is a common eligibility rule in Canadian contests which aims to make contests fair for all participants.”
Oh poor Sonya! To go through all of that and make it so far to discover you are disqualified… that is BRUTAL! I may not have enjoyed her cookie but it is clear I am not her target market. I know this cookie would have done great and a lot of people would love them. If you saw the episode you would know just how much her heart was in this contest. I can not imagine her disappointment finding out she could not compete for the grand prize.
Our foodie hearts goes out to you Sonya!
Good morning Suzie!
I was unaware of this show and stumbled upon it Sunday afternoon quite by accident (I always check the Food Network Channel if I’m alone with the tv – they feature a lot of fantastic shows).
I wonder if something may have changed in the cookie’s composition when it went from fresh baked to manufactured mass production?
Based on what I saw on Sunday’s show ~ this cookie seemed to please just about everybody, and one of its key advantages was that it wasn’t just a cookie for people with gluten intolerance … but a cookie that could be served to, and loved by, everyone.
Certainly the stats she gathered and shared regarding percentage of people who loved the cookie, who would buy the cookie and who would recommend the cookie were very impressive. Mind you, I’m always wary of percentages – because they don’t share how many people actually responded. And a 90-something percent can be easier to achieve in a smaller gathering than it can in a crowd the size her competitor seemed to draw.
Galen Weston did mention the many categories of cookies in his store ~ and I was thinking that Sonya’s cookie might work better being sold in the Bakery Department rather than becoming a sku in the Grocery Department. Seems to me that the rice flour, etc. may work best as a ‘fresh’ cookie rather than a packaged one.
And yes, how heartbreaking for Sonya. One thing that was clear was how passionate she was about her cookie ~ and how very much she wanted to win this challenge and move on to the finals. She seemed to view it as a fabulous ‘next step’ in her life ~ transitioning her to an exciting new career that used more of her skills and could help more people as a result.
Kudos to you for finding out ‘the scoop’ on the “Due to unforeseen circumstances” message that came up at the end of the show. While I’m sorry that Sonya’s been disqualified – I’m grateful that it’s resulting from a contest contract clause rather than a health or personal issue. Goodness, she ended the show swearing she was going to have a heart attack. So glad she actually didn’t!
I wave my wooden spoon at you, this post and in honour of Sonya – who will hopefully go on to market her delicious cookie, and whatever else she dreams up.
I just baked up a double batch of Lorraine’s Choco Chip cookies the other day. After having those babies melt in our mouths I don’t think I can even so much look at a store bought cookie right now…no matter how good they are rated lol!
Nice that you are talking about a Gluten-Free product. My brother-in-law is celiac and I want to buy him new products to try for the Holidays. Have a great day!
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Sally! Yes, I am sure that going from fresh from the oven to sitting in plastic bags in boxes has a lot to do with the flavour difference. I know, I felt so bad for Sonya too. She was so emotional about the whole thing, what a shame for her. Well thank you for the heads up. I didn’t see the message, my PVR cut out early so maybe that’s why. I wish Sonya the best too.
Ava, those are damn fine cookies aren’t they? Lorraine is a bit of a genius in the kitchen. But! I made some from Martha’s new book today that might rival them. I agree, after going from freshly baked to store bought? I just can’t do it!
Helene, then these cookies might be just what your brother-in-law needs then! They are perfect for someone with that condition. 🙂 They will make a great holiday treat.
These cookies left a clinging, cloying taste in my mouth … They were grainy and kinda gross.
Seriously dissappointed … And does the world really need a gluten-free
cookie when they are so easy to make?
And $4 a box???
Those s’morsels looked amazing and cookies w/bacon? OMG..Brill!!!
(Also, she was soooooooooo rude to everyone in the kitchen … All that drama gave me a headache!)
Janet, that’s the rice flour, it bothers me too. Funny Reg didn’t notice it. I guess if you don’t bake and can’t have gluten, this is a treat but yet, not exactly cheap and they cookies are not that bit. I have to admit, I was super curious about the other two desserts being made although I did don’t get what was savoury about a s’morsel but the cookies with bacon that taste like pancakes? I was so curious! And that is savoury…