Published: March 18, 2008 12:00 am      

Cook's Corner: Chefs invited to challenge

A Chef's Challenge Competition will be held April 25 and 26 at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire.

Four chef teams from around the north will compete against four teams from the South to claim the title of "Michigan's finest dining region." The top winners from each group will compete in an "Iron Chef"-like competition on April 27.

Chefs and restaurants from throughout Michigan are invited to submit entries. Deadline to enter is March 21. Teams selected will be announced on March 29 at www.chefs-challenge.com. Judges will include Chef Eric Villegas of "Fork in the Road" TV, and Chef Michelle Bommarito, known for frequent appearances on the Food Network.

The event is part of the Celebration of Springtime Splendor Week in Michigan, and is a fundraiser for Challenge Mountain. Chefs may obtain more information by calling 535-2227 or emailing to info@springtimesplendor.com.

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Northwestern Michigan College international students are holding their sixth annual International Student Dinner to benefit international students' scholarships on April 16.

In addition, international students are holding a series of programs through April on their home countries. Planned by students, events may include music, multimedia presentations and discussion. Remaining sessions include Israel this Wednesday; Germany/Kazakhstan on March 25; and Pohnpei on April 15, all at noon in the Osterlin Building.

The April 16 dinner will be held at the Hagerty Center on the college's Great Lakes campus. Students will serve a buffet dinner featuring cuisine from their native countries, and the Sun Radius Steel Pan Band will provide music. Students will also perform music and dance typical of their home countries.

Dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $7 for children 13 and younger, available in the college admissions office, at the main campus Welcome Center, Hagerty Center and at the door.

For more information on the noon presentations, call 995-1155. Direct inquiries about the April 16 dinner to 995-1054.

If you are looking for a specific recipe, have a cooking dilemma -- or have solved one and want to pass on what you learned; had good (or bad) luck with a food product; or have other information of interest to fellow cooks, please send it to: Cook's Corner, Traverse City Record-Eagle, P.O. Box 632, Traverse City, MI 49685; call (231) 933-1452 or (800) 968-8273; or e-mail: kgibbons@record-eagle.com.