Director of Culinary Education Brian Hay to Serve as Judge for Stone Soup Chef Competition

Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Director of Culinary Education, Chef Brian Hay, will serve as one of the celebrity judges for Pretty Lake Camp’s Stone Soup Chef Competition on May 1. The competition, scheduled from 6-9 p.m. is a fundraising event for Pretty Lake Camp in Mattawan.

This event, patterned after national food cooking championships, features local celebrity chefs battling to be the next Stone Soup Chef. Chefs will use fresh produce provided by ValleyHUB, Kalamazoo Valley’s food hub located on its Bronson Healthy Living Campus. “We’re excited about providing fresh produce for this fund raising event,” said ValleyHUB Manager Randall Davis. “We are all about getting more local food on more plates in west Michigan. Since this event benefits kids, we are all in,” Davis said.

Chef Hay said, “Educating and encouraging aspiring chefs about the importance of using locally sourced produce to create delicious and healthy meals is a large part of the college’s culinary program. Plus, we are always happy to help support an organization which invests in the lives of so many young people.” Since 1916, Pretty Lake Camp, a non-profit community organization, has provided a cost-free summer camp experience to more than 80,000 youth from Kalamazoo County who can benefit most from the experience. Annually, the camp offers a safe, structured and encouraging environment in a natural setting for more than 800 children. Many of the children who attend Pretty Lake Camp face significant challenges at home, in school and in their community.

. “Through the financial support of generous individuals and organizations, we provide everything that campers need during their session at camp – clothes, toiletries, bedding, towels, food, transportation to and from camp, and activities – at no cost to the camper or their family or caregiver,” said Pretty Lake Hospitality Director Christine Brown. “Our focus is to assist in the development of campers by teaching life skills and helping campers cope with life’s challenges.”

The competition will be held on the grounds of Pretty Lake Camp, 91230 Q Avenue, Mattawan. The evening includes refreshments, an opportunity to cast a vote for a favorite chef and music provided by featured bands Dede and The Dream, Kaitlin Rose and other local artists.

Purchase tickets for $25 at Eventbrite, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stone-soup-chef-tickets-59856724073?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

For more information contact Christine Brown at christine@prettylakecamp.org.