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
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 with an emphasis on local, organic, and sustainable practices.
At age 20, Shawn apprenticed under Master Chef Karl Wenzel and quickly absorbed the nature of 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 masterfully executed a fine dining experience in a country setting with a menu focused on local ingredients.
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, Michigan 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 multi-conceptual 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 systems, tools, and operations for food service operations and their food safety practices. Currently, Shawn is the acting lead consultant and CEO of Culinary Cultivations. His time is mostly spent supporting the operational needs of clients with the Culinary Cultivations team, systems, tools, and operational intellectual properties.
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 numerous awards from the American Culinary Federation.
Vote for your favorite recipe - August 15th
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.
Soon, you will be able to browse the recipes and vote for your favorite! Three chefs with the most votes 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!
Thank you, 2024 sponsors
VIP Tasting Sponsor
Executive Chef
Head Chef
Deputy Chef
AARP Grand Rapids
Brio Living Services
Grand River Bank
Green Frog
The Catering Company
Fifth Third Bank
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Meijer
Oliver
Thank you, 2024 honorary committee
Sarah Andro
Rich App
Dawn Baker
Mayor Roslyn Bliss
Nate Blury
Guillermo Cisneros
Benjamin Cochran
Ashley Commons
Marrisa Fellows
Courtney Hankis
Ken Jansen
Jeff Lobdell
Tanya Lockwood
Annette Repasch
Charles Lepper & Shane Rosenbaum
Rachael Ruiz
Maria Santana-Polanco
Mark Secchia
Kim & Michael Smith
Christine Taylor
Chef Maggie Thiel
Stephan VanHeulen
Browse By Year
2023 Chef’s Specialty
October 11, 2023 High Five GR Our 2023 Chef’s Specialty was an immense success! Thank you for joining us at High Five GR on October 11, 2023, while we honored
2022 Chef’s Specialty
October 12, 2022 Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Are you someone who loves good food and drink? Then you would have enjoyed the 8th Annual Chef’s Specialty event at
