Official donut launch to take place on November 21st with an in-store appearance by NFL Quarterback Dennis Dixon
[November 19, 2019] Portland, Ore. – Portland’s home-grown artisan donut shop will be releasing a special donut in collaboration with former University of Oregon quarterback and 2-time NFL Super Bowl Champion, Dennis Dixon. To celebrate the limited-edition donut launch, Blue Star will be hosting a release party on the morning of Thursday, November 21st from 9am-12pm. Dennis will be in the store glazing, signing autographs, and serving up the first boxes of the pastry MVP. The donut will be available in all Portland and LA locations.
The delicious collaboration all started when Blue Star founder & CEO Katie Poppe met Dennis Dixon while they were working on a campaign for the Oregon Symphony. After hitting it off, Katie invited Dennis down to the Blue Star test kitchen to work with Head Pastry Chef Stephanie Thornton on an exciting new donut collaboration – and thus the Matcha Matcha Man was born! This sumptuous star player begins with Blue Star’s signature vanilla cake donut. It’s soaked in a Makrut Lime leaf infused maple syrup, topped with a rich matcha glaze, and then sprinkled with a nutty, salted matcha crumble. It’s matcha on matcha with a lime kick – and is also vegan! The deep green color pays homage to the field where Dennis played for the University of Oregon Ducks from 2004 – 2007. The donut name was chosen via a fan contest on Dennis’s social media page, with the winner receiving two dozen and VIP access to the donut launch. A portion of proceeds from each donut will be donated to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation in honor of Dennis and Katie’s mothers, who both died of breast cancer.
The Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research challenges the status quo to end breast cancer and improve the lives of people impacted by it now through education and advocacy. The Foundation drives collaborative, cutting-edge research with nontraditional partners, brings to light the collateral damage of treatment and seeks ways to diminish it, and interprets science to empower patients.
ABOUT DENNIS DIXON
Dennis Dixon Jr. was raised in Oakland California, and earned his degree from the University of Oregon in 2007 where he also played quarterback for the Ducks. After a short career in professional baseball with the Atlanta Braves, Dennis took his talents and returned to the gridiron in 2008, where he was drafted in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 7 seasons in the NFL, winning 2 Super Bowl rings (Pittsburgh 2008, Ravens 2012). With experience in multiple fields and competing at the highest levels, Dennis is excited to embark on his true passion – taking his experience through adversity and success, and building up the people and communities around him. He currently runs personal training programs with his fitness brand Dixonfit as well as Jumpman LA.
ABOUT BLUE STAR DONUTS
Blue Star Donuts is a gourmet donut shop born in Portland, Oregon. After a much-anticipated opening in 2012, the Portland-grown bakers have since expanded to eight locations in the Portland area, plus three locations in Los Angeles, California. The unique brioche-based donuts quickly became a foodie favorite, recognized as the best in Portland and the United States by Conde Nast, The Washington Post, and USA Today. Their gourmet gems have gained international attention on the Food Network, and were also featured on the cover of Bon Appetit Magazine. Head Pastry Chef Stephanie Thornton was recently featured as a contestant on Chopped, and Co-Founder and CEO Katie Poppe is a recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s “40 under 40” award and “Oregon’s Most Admired Companies”, and is also a PCNW regional finalist for Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.