‘Double AAs’ Do Delicious Deeds

Follow the sensational aroma of fresh pastries coming out of the oven, and you’ll meet Amanda Gilberg and Austin Sagan, also known as the “Double AA Chefs.” The seventh grade students are baking desserts to raise money for children in need.

Gilberg and Sagan started their business six months ago as part of their bar/bat mitzvah projects. Their goal is to accumulate $1,800 — the amount needed to send a child to camp. They will donate their earnings to Chai Lifeline, an organization that sends children with serious illnesses to summer camp.

To get customers, the youths designed a flyer and distributed it to synagogues, schools and friends. Orders poured in, and they have spent hours in the kitchen baking for graduation parties, birthday parties and other events. So far, they have raised over $1,200.

Their menu consists of brownies, cupcakes, cookies and coffeecakes. For Passover, they had two special dessert offerings.

Gilberg celebrated her bat mitzvah on May 16. She and Sagan baked over 250 brownies and gave them out to guests. Sagan will celebrate his bar mitzvah at the end of the summer.

Although Gilberg dances and plays softball, tennis and basketball, and Sagan plays soccer and baseball, the young chefs get together and bake at least once a week.

Gilberg and Sagan are used to doing good deeds.

“I was baking before and gave the money to the Salem Children’s Hospital,” Sagan said. In past summers, Gilberg swam laps at camp to raise money for under-privileged kids.

The “Double AA Chefs” is a family affair. Their younger siblings, Samantha and Mason, help deliver the pastries, while their parents do the driving.

Because both chefs go to camp, their baking will be put on hold until the end of summer. You can reach the chefs at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or call them at 781-593-5197.