Vote for Chef Spencer in MOW Chef's Specialty Contest
We are proud to share that our very own Chef Spencer Grab from Porter Hills Village is participating in the 10th Annual Chef’s Specialty recipe contest with Meals on Wheels Western Michigan (MOWWM)! The contest and event will support Meals on Wheels’ meaningful efforts to provide meals to vulnerable older adults throughout the Grand Rapids area. The contest will end with an event on October 16, featuring the top three chefs competing with their own featured recipes.
Chef Spencer joined the culinary team in 2005 and has grown into an impressive leader, gaining many new skills along the way. Chef Spencer now heads up the dining operation at the Fairway Grille, Porter Hills Village’s brand-new dining room at the campus, which has been renovated, expanded, and transformed over the last two years. Porter Hills Village is currently continuing its campus-wide investment with the addition of The Ravines, a 26-unit independent living apartment building.
The first round of the contest consists of 
electronic voting. Chef Spencer is currently in 2nd place! We hope that you will join us in supporting Chef Spencer and casting your vote DAILY. Voting ends September 15. Please help spread the word and CAST YOUR VOTE NOW by clicking MOWWM Chef's Specialty Voting 2024 (office.com) or by scanning the QR code.
Chef Spencer has some tough, local competition, featuring chefs from popular Grand Rapids restaurants such as Linear, Thai Table, and Noodle Pig. Aside from restaurants, there are also local culinary establishments such as Gordon Food Services and Louise Earl Butcher Shop in the running. No matter who comes out on top, there is certainly no shortage of talent and uniqueness in these recipes – and all for a worthy cause! You can read more on all the chefs and their featured recipes here.
Chef Spencer’s featured recipe is Cabbage and Noodles with Kielbasa, also known as Haluski in Eastern Europe, where it originated. Chef Spencer says, “This dish holds a special place in my heart and family history. My dad often made Haluski for us, recounting how his mother would prepare this dish as a quick and satisfying weekday meal. It was their go-to recipe in place of cabbage pierogi because it was faster and easier to make, yet offered a similar, comforting flavor. The combination of buttery noodles, tender cabbage, and hearty kielbasa became a cherished part of our family’s culinary repertoire. To this day, Haluski remains one of my favorite dishes. Its rich flavors and comforting nature evoke fond memories of family, tradition, and the warmth of home.” You can try out Chef Spencer’s recipe at your own home; click here for the full recipe!
Chef Spencer is a prime example of the level of excellence our dining programs provide to our residents every day in our residential communities. Brio Living Services is proud to support these efforts to set our culinary services apart from others. We are looking forward to the results and hope to support Chef Spencer at the event on October 16! Help Chef Spencer stay in the top three amongst these talented local chefs!
To learn more about Brio Living Services and our diverse living and employment options, visit our website.