Chef’s Specialty

Are you someone who loves good food and drink? Then Chef’s Specialty is an event you won’t want to miss. Each fall, this event is an opportunity for close supporters and new friends to come together to support our community of seniors, all while highlighting the work of local chefs. Proceeds from the event go towards supporting MOWWM’s work to provide seniors with healthy, delicious meals.

10th annual Chef's specialty

October 16, 2024  Goei Center

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Join us for the 10th Annual Chef’s Specialty event held at The Goei Center. The night will feature a chef’s competition, dinner, drinks and networking as we honor Shawn Kohlhaas and recognize the impact of Meals on Wheels Western Michigan. 

Details

VIP Tasting 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Main Event 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

$125 for Main Event
$175 for Main Event + VIP Tasting

Young Professional Ticket Price
$75 for Main Event
$125 for Main Event + VIP Tasting

Vote for your favorite recipe

Along with a seated dinner and awards, Chef’s Specialty also features a friendly competition between local chefs. Each chef has submitted a recipe which the community, attendees and judges vote on. 

The three chefs with the most votes from the public will present bite-sized versions of their dishes to sample at the VIP Tasting. Attendees of the reception and a panel of judges will vote on the Top Chef and people’s choice winners!

Meet our 2024 Honoree: Shawn Kohlhaas

Chef Shawn Kohlhaas, a seasoned 30-plus-year veteran of the food service industry, has been leading the way in new and fresh approaches to food service. His passions have been in farm-to-table initiatives emphasizing local, organic and sustainable practices.

At age 20, Shawn apprenticed under Master Chef Karl Wenzel and quickly absorbed the restaurant culture found along the eastern seaboard. Shortly after, Shawn’s father founded and created the Mountain Creek Tavern Restaurant. For seven years, they executed a fine dining experience in a country setting focusing on local ingredients.

 

Shawn Kohlhaas delivering Meals on Wheels bags as he walks around a pickup truck smiling.

Shawn then moved on to be the Food Consultant of Lowe’s Foods. There, he sharpened his retail knowledge until he was offered the prestigious position of Executive Chef for NASCAR. Shawn moved to Grand Rapids in 2004 where he found a new frontier in food culture. He quickly became the Regional Culinary Services Manager for the Unidine Corporation, where he helped guide over 180 food service accounts from small retirement communities to large hospitals. He was able to institute high sanitation standards from his extensive training as a ServSafe Instructor and Proctor.

Shawn has focused his career on food service operations and food safety practices. Currently, Shawn is the acting lead consultant and CEO of Culinary Cultivations.

An active member in the community, Shawn has served as board chair of the Greater Grand Rapids American Culinary Foundation, is a member of the Food Safety Advisory Board for the Kent County Health Department, a board member of the Tip Jar Foundation, and is involved in many local charities and awards. He has also won awards from the American Culinary Federation and numerous entities and community organizations.

Thank you, 2024 sponsors

VIP Tasting Sponsor

Executive Chef

The Mix 95.7 west Michigan logo
Green Frog Stills and Motion logo
Doyle & Ogden Insurance Advisors logo
Gordon Food Service logo

Head Chef

Beacon Hill at Eastgate logo
Culinary Cultivations
Fusion IT logo
JRA Food Service Consultants, LLC logo

Deputy Chef

AARP Grand Rapids

Brio Living Services

Fifth Third Bank

Grand River Bank

Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes

Meijer

Mercantile Bank

Oliver Packaging & Equipment

The Catering Company

Thank you, 2024 honorary committee

Sarah Andro
Rich App
Dawn Baker
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss
Nate Blury
Guillermo Cisneros
Bridget Clark Whitney
Benjamin Cochran
Ashley Commons
Deborah Drozdowski
Devon Drozdowski
Marrisa Fellows
Sophia Frank
Eddie Garcia

Jessica Habetler
Courtney Hankis
Nikki Henderson
John and Gretchen Hice
Ken Jansen
Harry Kohlhaas
Marie & Tom Krosnik
Kerry, Laura & Gabby Lamoreaux
Marilyn Lamoreaux
Nick & Melanie Lamoreaux
Charles Lepper & Shane Rosenbaum
Jeff Lobdell
Tanya Lockwood
Carolee, Kenny & Jake Oberholtzer
Krista Paulin-Kark

Mercedes Rafael
Annette Repasch
Rachael Ruiz
Maria Santana-Polanco
Mark Secchia
Angela Shea
Kim & Michael Smith
Justin Stermin
Christine Taylor
Maggie Thiel
Stephan VanHeulen
Caralee Waswick
Stephanie Weesies
Melissa Weldon
Jo-Anne Wilson

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