 Baby Boomers Cafe cookies will take the stage at Tuesday’s Inaugural Ball in Des Moines. |
By Emilee Richardson
CONTACT: Tory Olson, 515-271-1834, tory.olson@drake.edu
Since the Iowa caucuses last January, the chocolate chunk cookie from Baby Boomers Café in Des Moines has become a nationwide sensation — even being referred to as the “Obama cookie.”
On Jan. 20, the cookies will be featured at the Des Moines Club’s Inaugural Ball as one of the Obamas’ favorite foods.
The ball, co-hosted by Drake associate professor of law Ellen Yee, will be held from 7-11 p.m. on Inauguration Day. The nonpartisan event will feature the Obamas’ favorite foods, music by Public Property and each attendee will receive a commemorative glass.
Other Obama favorites will include: Chicago hot dogs and pizza, Hawaii’s slow roasted whole pig with banana BBQ sauce and Kenya’s Tusker beer. Artichoke spinach lasagna and a Mexican Aztec soup also will be available.
“We created this event so we could gather together as friends, family, colleagues and neighbors to celebrate the historic inauguration,” Yee said. “All are welcome.”
Tickets are limited and may be purchased online or by calling 515-277-3727.
Cookie’s success draws attention to Des Moines café
The cookie was dreamed up by Baby Boomers café, which is co-owned by Drake alumnus Michael Wolnerman, a 1987 graduate. He helped develop a Web site to streamline the order and shipment of the cookies anywhere in the world — from London to Mexico.
Owners offered the cookies in a jar at the bar counter for free until a few months ago when the treat gained popularity, thanks to President-elect Barack Obama and his family. They enjoyed the sweets during the campaign and while spending time in Des Moines.
Baby Boomers cookies caught the attention of media outlets and since have been featured in the Des Moines Register, Washington Post and Fox News.
In a single day, the café receives as many as 90 online orders. “And not everyone orders just one dozen,” said Wolnerman. “Some order three, four or five. That adds up to a lot of cookies.”
Baby Boomers Café is located at 316 E. Locust in Des Moines. To learn more about Baby Boomers cookies or to place an order, visit http://www.babyboomerscookie.com/.