Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating God’s abundance, the power of community and the hope being shared with hungry people around the world.
October 22 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Celebrate with us at Centerpoint Church | 2345 10th Street N, Kalamazoo, MI
A buffet will be available while you partake of our evening activities
Event Highlights
Chef Competition
Watch local chefs go head-to-head in a friendly culinary competition using dehydrated KVG ingredients.
Raffle
Enter our raffle for a chance to win a weekend getaway, a specialty cheese basket and more.
Inspirational Speakers
Hear Roger Walterhouse of Feed the Hungry share how KVG’s food is bringing nourishment and hope to communities around the world.
Your Gift Can Go Twice as Far
Taste and See launches KVG’s Matching Month. Generous donors will match gifts dollar for dollar from October 22 through November 30, 2026. The total match will be announced at the event—then together, we’ll work to double it.
The KVG Chef Competition
Six local chefs will battle for the title of KVG Chef Champion. Each competitor will have 30 minutes to create one dish using KVG products and ingredients from the competition pantry. The competition begins at 5:45 p.m., with the winner announced later in the evening.
Meet the Chefs
Chef Chris Antoniotti
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Inspired by his mom’s home cooking, Chef Chris began his culinary career at age 16 as a dishwasher at a local country club. After graduating from Albion College, he earned a culinary arts degree in 1999 and worked under acclaimed Chef Takashi Yagihashi at Tribute in Farmington Hills. His 24-year career in corporate dining has included culinary leadership roles, and he relocated to Portage in May 2025 to serve as Regional Chef for Stryker. For Chef Chris, the greatest professional reward is seeing the joy and satisfaction his food brings to guests.
Chef Andrew Bult
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Chef at Char and Barrel in Rockford, Michigan.
Chef Russell Hansen
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University Roadhouse.
Chef Jeff Bright
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Jeff Bright learned cooking at a young age taught by his Mom Jean Bright. He worked in several restaurants as a young man in the 70s. Before retiring as President of Bright Financial Advisors in 2019 Jeff cooked for parties and competitions. He joined Youth for Christ in 2020 setting up the new City Life Center kitchen at 2528 E Main Street Kalamazoo. Jeff oversees a team that cooks meals for teens and special events. He has a passion for cooking French, Mexican, Italian, Thai, and smoked food.
Chef Ryan Soule
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Chef at Fieldstone Grill, part of the Millennium Restaurant Group.
Chef Austin VanTuyl
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Kazoopy’s Pizza and Grinders.
Meet the Judges
Jessica Harthorn
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Emmy Award-winning evening news anchor at WWMT with more than 20 years of experience in television news. She is also an adjunct professor of communication at Calvin University.
Restaurateur Mark Rykse
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Mark Rykse has decades of experience as the owner and operator of Rykse’s Restaurant. A longtime local favorite, the restaurant is known for its delicious baked goods. Mark also expanded the restaurant into a successful catering business serving the community.
Chef Marissa Barnes
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Chef Marissa Barnes is a dedicated instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), combining a strong foundation in food marketing with extensive industry and entrepreneurial experience to prepare students for success in the hospitality and restaurant industries.
Featured Raffle Items
Six favorite items from last year’s auction are returning—this time as raffle prizes! Purchase as many tickets as you’d like to increase your chances of taking home one of these exciting prizes.
Raffle tickets will be available during the event and may be purchased with cash, check, or credit card. Every ticket purchased supports Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners and helps us continue sharing God’s abundance with a hungry world!
Dinner for Four at Four Roses
Enjoy appetizers, salads, entrées and desserts at the elegant Four Roses restaurant.
Raffle Ticket Price: $50
The Cheese Lady Gift Basket
A delicious basket of specialty cheeses and goodies prepared by The Cheese Lady.
Raffle Ticket Price: $20
Up North Getaway
Enjoy a Northern Michigan getaway at this three-bedroom cabin at the mouth of Intermediate Lake in Bellaire, MI, with kayak use included.
Raffle Ticket Price: $100
Golf Experience at The Moors
A round of 18 for 4, $100 gift card to the Grille Room, 2 Callaway Hats and 2 Boxes of Callaway Golf Balls (12 ct).
Raffle Ticket Price: $50
WMU Broncos Hockey
Tickets to cheer on the Western Michigan University Broncos hockey team. Date of choice.
Raffle Ticket Price: $20
Private Boat Ride
Disembark from Holland for a enjoyable boat cruise. Snacks and drinks included!
Raffle Ticket Price: $100
Get in touch
For questions about our gleaning food ministry, please reach out.
Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners
5541 King Hwy Kalamazoo, MI 49048
269-400-1822
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