Quick Chek Introduces Winning Coffee Creations, New Coffee Pots

The Union Avenue had some special visitors Saturday as the company introduced its updated coffee department and the winners of its iLoveMyCoffee.com recipe contest.

Q, the chain’s mascot, was on hand to greet customers and invite them to try coffee from the new Bunn ThermoFresh pots. The pots replace glass pots and are designed to keep the oxygen out and the heat in, helping the coffee stay hotter and fresher longer.

Coffee is Quick Chek’s No. 1 category, said Jennifer Vespole, director of food service. The new pots are now available at all 126 Quick Chek stores.

Also handing out samples were the top three winners of the iLoveMyCoffee.com recipe contest. The contest, which launched in January, encouraged Quick Chek fans to create their own signature coffee concoction, post it on the site and on Facebook and Twitter and encourage other fans to vote.

First prize went to Rutgers student Jen W. for her “Death by Cinnamon Chocolate,” which includes Chocolate Macadamia Nut Coffee, French Vanilla Cappuccino and sugar, and is topped with cinnamon.

“I love the flavors,” she said.

Second place winner was Gina C., from Dunellen, for “GG’s Wicked Brew,” and third place went to Susan Z. for her “Nutty Vanilly.”

In addition to winning free coffee for a year, each winner will have her picture and the recipe for her winning concoction on a coffee cup starting later this summer so that others can enjoy the creations.

Diane Bloise, of Somerville, stopped in the Bridgewater location to pick up some rolls. When asked if she would like to sample the winning “Nutty Vanilly” creation, Bloise said yes.

“I’m a coffee lover,” she said. “This is very good.”