The Ronald McDonald House Charities organization launched its newest project this week, called Chef’s Challenge Sunday. The event faces two Morgantown-area master chefs in a one hour competition aimed at whipping up the best signature dish.
Proceeds from the challenge benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Morgantown, an organization working to support families with children in Morgantown hospitals. The charity house was established over a decade ago, and includes a number of bedrooms and a main living space where families and children dealing with similar issues can interact.
Brian Bruner, executive banquet chef at the Waterfront Place Hotel, faced Chris McDonald, the executive chef at Stefano’s Restaurant, this Sunday at the Ronald McDonald charity house.
After much deliberation, and an audience vote, Chef McDonald was named Sunday’s winner. He was awarded a Ronald McDonald House chef’s jacket,
“I didn’t expect to win, but I was hoping to win,” he said. “I’ve worked with Chef Bruner at both the Glasshouse Grill and the Waterfront Place hotel, so I’ve known him for a long time, and it was awesome to be able to go one-on-one against him.”
Ronald McDonald house development coordinator MaChal Forbes explained: “The whole idea behind not just the Chef’s Challenge, but hosting other events in the house, was to bring the public into the house.
“We wanted them to become more involved with what we do here and with our mission. When people walk through the house- see the rooms, meet the families and see what we do- it’s just a better means of public education for the communities.”
The Charity House also announced new plans to add a family area in Ruby Memorial Hospital, to give children a place to go within the vicinity of the intensive care unit.
“It would basically be a miniature Ronald McDonald house- a family room, a kitchen area- a place where families can come from the NICU, the PICU, and stay right in the hospital,” explained board member Nicole Saffron. “They don’t have to leave- they can relax, they can watch TV without even crossing the parking low, which can be pretty far when you’re in that situation.”
