Taste. Vote. Celebrate New England’s Best Cookies.
The Great New England Cookie Slam brings together emerging bakeries and cookie businesses from across New England for an afternoon of tasting, competition, conversation, and holiday fun.
Sample cookies from participating bakers, meet the people behind the businesses, explore the marketplace, and cast your vote for the Fan Favorite. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy special programming, a panel discussion and Q&A, and the excitement of seeing which cookies take home top honors.
Whether you are a serious baker, a cookie fanatic, or simply looking for a delicious way to kick off the holiday season, the Cookie Slam is designed to be part food festival, part competition, and part celebration of New England’s growing community of food entrepreneurs.
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Mosesian Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA
General Admission $40 | VIP $150
Questions about tickets or attending The Great New England Cookie Slam? Contact the Mosesian Center for the Arts Box Office at boxoffice@mosesianarts.org.
What to Expect
The Great New England Cookie Slam will feature cookie tastings from competitors representing communities across New England, a judged cookie competition, Fan Favorite voting, opportunities to meet participating bakers, a marketplace featuring food and specialty vendors, and live Main Stage programming.
Guests will be able to sample a wide variety of cookies while discovering new local and regional businesses just in time for holiday ordering and gift-giving.
Meet the Judges & Guest Panelists
The Great New England Cookie Slam brings together respected voices from food media, baking, culinary arts, and New England’s food scene.
Julia Collin Davison, America’s Test Kitchen
Susan Spungen, Culinary Artist and Author
Kara Baskin, The Boston Globe
Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery + Café
Together, our judges and guest panelists will help celebrate the creativity, craft, and entrepreneurial spirit behind this year’s Cookie Slam competitors.
Schedule
12:30 PM - VIP Early Access
1:00 PM - Doors Open to the Public, Cookie Tastings and Marketplace Begin
2:30 PM - Main Stage Panel Discussion and Q&A
6:00 PM - Awards Ceremony
7:00 PM - Festival Closes
VIP Experience
Start the Cookie Slam early with an exclusive VIP experience before the festival opens to the general public.
VIP admission includes early access beginning at 12:30 PM, a special VIP gift bag with an exclusive America’s Test Kitchen cookie decorating kit, cookie-themed cookbooks, and other exclusive items, access to special meet-and-greet and book-signing opportunities, and full admission to The Great New England Cookie Slam.
VIP tickets are limited to approximately 40 guests, creating a more intimate way to experience the event before the doors open to the general public.
VIP Admission: $150
Meet the Bakers
The Cookie Slam will showcase emerging bakeries and cookie businesses from across New England, with an emphasis on entrepreneurs who are ready to introduce their products to new customers and grow during the holiday season.
Participating bakers will be announced as competitors are selected.
Interested in Competing?
The Great New England Cookie Slam is seeking emerging bakeries and cookie businesses from across New England to participate in this year’s competition and tasting festival.
We are looking for businesses that are excited to share their cookies with a large public audience, connect with new customers, and take advantage of increased visibility during the holiday season.
How the Application Process Works
- Submit an Application: Complete the online application and tell us about your business, your cookies, how you currently sell your products, and your ability to respond to increased holiday demand after the event. A $30 nonrefundable application fee is required at the time of submission.
- Applications Are Reviewed: The Cookie Slam team will review applications with the goal of selecting a strong and diverse group of businesses representing New England’s growing baking community. Selection is based on the cookie, business readiness, overall fit for the event, and the ability to provide a positive experience for guests
- Selected Bakers Are Invited to Participate: Selected businesses will receive an invitation with participation details, event requirements, deadlines, and next steps. If selected, the $30 application fee will be applied toward the participation fee
- Confirm Your Participation: Selected bakers will pay the remaining $170 balance toward the $200 vendor participation fee and submit any required event documentation, including proof of insurance.
- Prepare for the Cookie Slam: Competitors bring their cookies pre-baked to the event. There is no live baking competition.
Bakers should be prepared to provide enough samples for festival guests, represent their business throughout the event, participate in the competition and Fan Favorite voting, and be ready for potential increased customer interest and holiday orders following the Cookie Slam.
Participation Fees
Application Fee: $30
Nonrefundable and due with the application.
Vendor Participation Fee: $200 total if selected
The $30 application fee is credited toward this amount, leaving a $170 balance for selected competitors.
Requirements to Keep in Mind
Selected bakers should also be prepared to:
- Obtain any required temporary food service permit or license
- Provide a current Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, and allergen-labeling requirements
- Bring cookies fully prepared and ready to serve
- Provide serving supplies, signage, and any materials needed for their booth
- Clearly identify common allergens, including gluten-free options when applicable
- Be prepared for setup, event service, and breakdown within the event schedule
- Have a plan for handling increased orders and inquiries after the event
Ready to Compete?
Questions or need assistance with the application? Contact cookieslam@mosesianarts.org.
Financial Assistance
We want The Great New England Cookie Slam to represent the strongest and most exciting bakeries and cookie businesses across New England. If the vendor participation fee would create a financial barrier for your business, a limited number of discounted fees may be available.
Please contact cookieslam@mosesianarts.org to discuss financial assistance.
