April 22, 2009

BELLAIRE, MICH. - Culinary professionals and aspiring chefs from across Michigan are gearing up for the 2nd annual Chef’s Challenge, April 24-26, at Shanty Creek Resort near Bellaire in northern Michigan. Tagged the “Culinary Event of the Year,” the Chef’s Challenge features some of Michigan’s best chefs and culinary students in a North vs. South competition.

The event, supported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Select Michigan Program and Michigan commodity organizations, growers and food processors, is part of the celebration of “Springtime Splendor Week in Michigan,” and is a fundraiser for Challenge Mountain - the nation’s only non-profit organization that provides adaptive recreation exclusively to people with special needs.

Fourteen chef teams have signed up for this year’s competition with the focus being on Michigan agricultural products as chefs prepare their favorite recipes for the public to sample. Entrees will be paired with fine Michigan wines and micro-brews. The winner from northern Michigan will compete against the winner from southern Michigan at a Sunday evening “Iron Chef” competition dinner for the title of Michigan’s Best Chef.

Chef Hermann from Hermann’s of Cadillac and television celebrity chef on CBS in the Traverse City area, and Chef Michelle Bommarito, recently featured on the Food Network, will be among the guest judges. Culinary students from Michigan universities will assist the chefs throughout the weekend.

Free seminars will also be offered during weekend activities, including sessions on Wild Edibles, Healthy Living & Eating, Introduction to Kayaking and Mountain Biking and more.

2009 CHEF’S CHALLENGE CULINARY ACTIVITIES:

• Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  North vs. South Competition and tasting
  Guests can watch the competition unfold and sample the culinary offerings of Michigan’s top chefs. Tasting tickets are available for purchase at the event (8 for $25; 4 for $15) and can be used for food, wine and micro-brew samples. During the afternoon tasting, Wine Sommelier Amanda Danielson, from the acclaimed Trattoria Stella Restaurant in Traverse City, will be on-hand to recommend wine pairings with the various food samplings. Also from Trattoria Stella, Jon Ingham, a beer critic of long standing who has taught beer and cocktail pairings, will discuss Michigan micro-brews and how they complement various tastings.
  
  
• Saturday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  Iron Chef Competition
  Guests will enjoy an elegant four-course dinner with and open bar featuring Michigan wines, beers and liquors. Winners of the North vs. South competition will compete for the title of Michigan’s Best Chef during dinner. Tickets are $100 per person (80 percent tax deductible). Advance ticket sales are appreciated, and can be ordered by mailing payment (check payable to Challenge Mountain) to Challenge Mountain, 0158 M-75 South, Boyne City, MI, 49712.
  
  
• Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  High School BBQ competition
  Michigan high school culinary students will compete with their best seasoned samplings "on the grill,” complemented by their corn bread and slaw favorites. There is no charge for this event, but donations will be accepted to support Challenge Mountain.

For more information, visit www.chefs-challenge.com or contact Joe Breidenstein at 231-535-2227.