SAVANNAH — The Savannah Ronald McDonald House will host the Chef of the House Challenge on June 27-July 1, July 25-29 and Aug. 22-26.
The competition, modeled after The Food Network’s “Iron Chef,” features a fundraising twist and a “bring your own challenger” format to benefit the Savannah Ronald McDonald House.
The event began Monday with a battle between Sam’s Club in Pooler and Sam’s Club in Sandfly. Chef of the House features culinary masters and amateurs who possess a passion for cooking and helping.
Once a chef has registered and chosen a challenger, they plan a meal that includes a main dish, side dish or appetizer, and a dessert. It must feed 30 people. The participants cook for families staying at the Savannah Ronald McDonald House and the competition judges.
When the teams arrive at the house on the day of their challenge, they are given a secret ingredient, donated by NLAWS Produce, which must be incorporated into one of their recipes. The competitors will be judged on the overall meal and the successful incorporation of the secret ingredient.
The second component of the competition is to gain support from family members, friends and the community by fundraising for the Savannah Ronald McDonald House.
Competitors set up websites that allow supporters to make online donations. To up the ante, anyone who supports the chefs with a $65 donation or greater will receive $25 in McDonald’s gift certificates. The top fundraiser wins a 32-inch flat-screen television, courtesy of Shift Creative, and other goodies. All participants receive special gifts.
Event sponsors include the Savannah Area McDonald’s Owner Operators Association, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Dr. Pepper, Choate Construction, Ameris Bank, Dana & Bill Boden, Ambos Seafoods, Thomas & Hutton, NLAW’s Produce, HostSouth, FastSigns, Advanced AV and Shift Creative.
To support a chef with a donation, go to www.firstgiving.com/rmhccoastal. For more information on the adopt-a-meal program, call Carol Boyd at 912-350-7641 or email carol@rmhccoastalempire.org.