For Immediate Release

Challenge Mountain

Contact:  Sue Moody, Executive Director, phone 231.582.1186

Challenge Mountain Announces Boyne Mountain as Chefs Challenge Partner

Challenge Mountain is very proud to announce Boyne Mountain as the host site of the Chefs Challenge 2010.  The Chef Challenge 2010 will be held Friday, April 23 – Sunday, April 25, 2010. 

The Chefs Challenge is an extraordinary event featuring Michigan made products, foods, culinary, beers, wines, and spirits.  Not only does the event benefit Challenge Mountain but promotes tourism and Michigan products as well.  The event is in its 3rd year.  In 2009 the Chefs Challenge raised $11,000 for Challenge Mountain’s adaptive recreation programs for people with special needs. 

The funds that are raised from the event go directly to programs that include downhill skiing, adaptive downhill, snowboarding, adaptive snowboarding, and snowshoeing for the winter months.  Summer brings day camp activities, wilderness camping, hiking, and much more.  In 2009, more than 2500 people received crucial benefits from participating in these extraordinary activities. 

A Meet and Greet is scheduled for chef teams, dignitaries, and celebrity chefs on Friday, April 23.  The day starts off early on the 24th with seminars and vendors at 10am.  The culinary event begins at 11am and boasts 16 chef teams competing for the chance to be the best in the State at the evening’s chef cook-off beginning at 6pm.  The teams competing are the best from north and south chosen by a group of celebrity judges and culinary school professors.  Celebrities include Chef Michelle Bommarito and Chef Hermann Suhs.  Chef teams are currently being sought. 

Vendors who want to promote their Michigan products or businesses can contact Challenge Mountain as well.  With over 500 people expected this year, the event promises to be one of the “must attend” events of the year. 

In July of 2009, the mastermind of the Chefs Challenge, Joe Breidenstein passed away.  Challenge Mountain and all the Chefs Challenge team chose to carry on Joe’s legacy and are working diligently toward making this year’s event bigger, bolder, with more competitions and at a wonderful resort, Boyne Mountain. 

Rob Towne, Challenge Mountain Board President states, “We are thrilled the Chefs Challenge will continue in Mr. Breidenstein’s memory.  With Boyne Mountain hosting the event will be the biggest and best yet.  We cannot thank Boyne Mountain enough for partnering.  We have a long history.  It is through the generosity of the Kircher family that Challenge Mountain operates.   In 1984 Everett Kircher and his family donated the former Walloon Hills to the newly formed organization.  Their gift has helped thousands upon thousands of individuals.”

Anyone interested in how to register, attend, sponsor, or be one of the lucky 16 chef teams, please contact Sue Moody at 231-582-1186 or by email at cmski@challengemtn.org.  Information is also on the Challenge Mountain website at www.challengemtn.org and the Chefs Challenge website at www.chefs-challenge.com.  Be sure to save the date!

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SHRINK A THON
At Challenge Mountain we're excited to announce our new weight loss competition fund raiser.  Just in time to help with your New Year's Resolution.  The competition is a friendly one against a team from Camp Quality, another fine charity that helps kids with cancer.  At our weekly education and support meetings we'll follow a proven program to help participants make healthy lifestyle changes and lose weight.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

If you live in the Boyne area and would like to learn a healthier lifestyle, join our Challenge Mountain Team.

If you don't have weight to lose, pass this to a friend in the Boyne City area

If you live elsewhere, make a pledge to a shrinker, donate a prize or even start your own team

Introductory meetings (with food) will be held Thursday, 1/21 at 6 PM and Sunday, 1/24 at 5PM.

Email cmski@challengemtn.com or call 231-582-1186 to RSVP or for more info.

You can also visit http://shrink-a-thon.com for an overview.