Three local pastry chefs face-off during event co-hosted by Mario Batali and Gail Simmons
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 2015-7-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Local pastry chefs from three Grand Rapids bakeries – Cakabakery, Field & Fire and Sweetie-Licious – will face off during the Meijer LPGA Classic Celebrity Chef Cookoff presented by Kraft on July 24 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The first-ever competition between three local pastry chefs will feature their pastry creations that will be voted on by the guests, along with a panel of judges that includes nationally-acclaimed celebrity chef Mario Batali and culinary expert Gail Simmons.
“The local competition will add extra excitement to the Meijer LPGA Celebrity Chef Cookoff presented by Kraft, an already exciting and interactive cooking event,” Meijer President J.K Symancyk said. “We look forward to seeing the community support these local bakeries.”
Tickets to the event are $100 and available for purchase online at meijerLGPAclassic.com/chef-cookoff/. Proceeds benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest.
The local pastry competition will feature:
- Cakabakery Owner Jason Kakabaker has been creating birthday cakes and specialty desserts for 20 years. Cakabakery opened in 2010, and is a boutique bakery specializing in custom desserts, gourmet cupcakes, cake pops and more. Kakabaker represented his bakery on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars in 2013.
- Field & Fire Owner Shelby Kibler apprenticed under pastry chef Don Palmer, owner of Palmer’s Pastry Shop in Sterling Heights, Mich. In 2013, the University of Michigan graduate moved to Grand Rapids and opened Field & Fire that specializes in rustic European style breads and authentic French pastries.
- Sweetie-Licious owner Linda Hundt is a 19-time national pie-baking champion and has been featured on the Food Network, the Steve Harvey show and is also the exclusive pie provider for Williams-Sonoma website and catalog. Her bakery opened in 2002 and offers homemade pies, baked goods and comfort foods.
The event will also feature Batali and Simmons, who will each prepare an appetizer and main course while interacting with guests throughout the evening.
The Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft will host a full field of 144 players in the 72 hole, four day competition being held July 21-26 at Blythefield Country Club.
For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft or to volunteer, please visitmeijerLPGAclassic.com.
To view a video recapping the inaugural Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft, please visit meijerLPGAclassic.com.
To view a video on the Meijer hunger relief efforts, including Simply Give, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/meijer-simply-give-video.
About Meijer Simply Give:
Meijer is a family-owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Mich. with a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening the communities it serves. Meijer operates more than 200 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, and proudly donates more than 6 percent of its net profit each year to charities throughout the Midwest. With hunger as a corporate philanthropic focus, Meijer partners with hundreds of food banks and pantries through its Simply Give and food rescue programs. Meijer also supports education, disaster relief, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on Meijer philanthropy, please visit meijercommunity.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
About Blythefield Country Club:
Located just north of Grand Rapids, Blythefield has been providing families the best golf and social experience in West Michigan since 1928. With the Rogue River flowing through, Blythefield boasts one of the most beautiful championship layouts in Michigan. Previously, Blythefield has hosted the 1953 Western Amateur, the 1961 Western Open, won by Arnold Palmer, and the 2005 Western Junior won by Rickie Fowler. In 2014, Blythefield hosted the inaugural Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft. Learn more about Blythefield Country Club at www.blythefieldcc.org/.
About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association):
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 different countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.lpga.com, www.facebook.com/LPGA, www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/user/lpgavideo.
About Octagon Global Events:
Octagon Global Events is a division of Octagon, the world’s largest sports and entertainment representation and marketing agency. Octagon Global Events focuses on premium event/property management, providing strategic corporate solutions. The division currently manages two Champions Tour events, two LPGA Tour events and the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. For more information, visit http://www.octagonglobalevents.com/.
Contact: Lesley Baker, Tournament Director, Octagon, Lesley.Baker@octagon.com, 616-426-6225 or Christina Fecher, Public Relations Manager, Meijer, Christina.Fecher@meijer.com, 616-735-7968