RAPID RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – Over the weekend, Jack’s Restaurant welcomed a guest chef and diners for a day of competition and good food.
A little over a year ago, the staff at Jack’s Restaurant held its first Chefs Challenge. Two teams face off, each one making a different dish. Those dishes are served to patrons who register as judges.
“My mom told me growing up, ‘Don’t play with your food,'” said Jack’s owner Bobbi Ryan. “I think I dropped the first word in the sentence. We like to play with food and try new stuff.”
On Saturday, Ryan brought in a special guest to spice up the competition. Wisconsin-based Culinary Specialist Joe Schreiter of Sysco got his own corner of the Jack’s kitchen for the day.
“We have a great partnership with Sysco,” Ryan said. “Joe said one time when we were down in his kitchen that he would like to come down and play in our kitchen, so here we are!”
Despite the challenge of going up against Ryan’s team on their home turf, Schreiter said he was excited for the opportunity.
“Bobbi and I have been talking a lot of fun smack over the last couple of weeks,” laughed Schreiter. “I’ve got to try really hard to throw down today. I know Bobbi’s going to throw down.”
“I told him to bring his crying towel with him,” Ryan joked.
The teams served up their best breakfast and dinner plates over the course of six sessions. In the morning, judges enjoyed a meal centered around heirloom tomatoes and grits prepared by Schreiter, as well as a bagel sandwich and loaded breakfast skillet combo from the Jack’s staff.
The Jack’s team won the challenge, although it was a close race. At the end of the day, Ryan says the competition was not the most important part of the Chefs Challenge. Rather, she wanted to give the Jack’s family a unique, memorable, and delicious experience.
“There’s a lot of stress going on in the world, so we’re trying to have some fun and stay within a budget,” Ryan said. “That’s what we want to do, have some fun.”
The Chefs Challenge kicked off an exciting month for Jack’s, which is celebrating its 82nd anniversary next week. The restaurant is also planning exciting dining options for Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day.
Ryan plans to hold more Chefs Challenges later in the year. For updates on future events and how to participate as a judge, follow Jack’s Restaurant on Facebook.
