Post 390’s Doughnut Throwdown Returns

Doughnut dominance will be determined on October 4 when some of Boston and New York's top talent clash in Back Bay.

sofra bakery donut

Sofra Bakery’s weekend-only tahini-brown butter donut with salted caramel ganache.

The Rise and Rumble Donut Throwdown at Back Bay’s Post 390 returns October 4th for the second-annual battle of the brunch, crueler edition. Chefs from around Boston and New York will compete for the title of best doughnut, decided by the event’s guests.

The competitors vary, from brunch heavy-hitters to pop-tart pop-ups: Lauren Kroesser of Kenmore Square’s Island Creek Oyster Bar and Eastern Standard, Maura Kilpatrick of  Sofra Bakery, Justin Burke-Sampson of pop-up Trademark Tarts, Brian Mercury of Harvard Square’s Harvest , Stephen Collucci of New York City’s Colicchio & Sons, Jamie Davis Schick of Back Bay’s Deuxave, and the host, Craig Williams of Post 390.

“Doughnuts have been a very hot trend for the past couple of years, and pastry chefs love them as much as the public,” Williams said. “Also chefs by nature are extremely competitive, and doughnuts are a great blank canvas to show each other what we are capable of.”

Kroesser, last year’s Throwdown champion, won with a jelly-filled, hazelnut-topped classic, donning the doughnut “heavyweight” belt last November. Mercury, Schick, and Williams also return to the …ring… (get it).

The new contenders replace Heather Schmidt of Union Square Donuts and Meg Thompson of newly opened Townsman. Local underdog Burke-Sampson collaborated with Stephanie Cmar and her short-lived pop-up, Stacked Doughnuts. Maura Kilpatrick, a three-time Best of Boston winner in the pastry chef category, also serves as the pastry chef for Sofra’s sister restaurant, Oleana. Collucci, the pastry chef at James Beard Award-winner Coliccho & Sons, describes himself as a “chocolate freak.”

“I have a ton of respect for Sofra and Justin Samson-Burke and really love what they do and have accomplished,” Williams said of the latest additions. “It’s a ton of work to make 250 donuts and bring them to another location, so the fact they are taking their valuable time to do that is amazing. That being said, Stephen Collucci is coming all the way from New York just to participate in this event. Never in a million years did I expect him to say yes when I asked him.”

With a $30 ticket, patrons have unlimited access to other brunch buffet items and coffee bar, not to mention the seven glazed contestants presented by their coaches de cuisine. Bloody Marys, mimosas, and other morning libations will be available at 390’s cash bar.

$30 per person, Oct. 4, noon-2 p.m., 406 Stuart St., Boston; eventbrite.com.