Taste of Hope West Michigan: Top Chef Honors and Best Taste Award for Chef David W. Olson of Live Fire Republic

When the culinary community gathers for a cause, the standard rises.

At the American Cancer Society Taste of Hope West Michigan, hosted at the iconic Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, chefs from across the region stepped onto one of the most respected competitive stages in Michigan hospitality. Surrounded by nationally recognized restaurants, seasoned culinary leaders, and a packed room of guests, Chef David W. Olson of Live Fire Republic was awarded both Top Chef 2025 and Best Taste.

For Live Fire Republic, it was an extraordinary night. For the community, it was something even bigger.

What Is the American Cancer Society Taste of Hope West Michigan?

The Taste of Hope West Michigan is one of the region’s premier chef competitions and tasting events—an annual gathering where leading restaurants, resorts, and culinary teams present signature dishes to hundreds of guests and a distinguished judging panel.

Hosted at Meijer Gardens, a world-class cultural and event venue, the evening blends elevated tasting stations with formal culinary judging. Chefs are evaluated on execution, creativity, balance, and presentation—while guests experience the diversity and talent that define the West Michigan dining scene.

At its core, Taste of Hope West Michigan is about community. Chefs competing not just for recognition—but in support of a mission that impacts families across the region.

The Winning Dishes: Live Fire Precision Meets Elevated Execution

For Taste of Hope, Live Fire Republic x Ember Craft delivered two composed dishes built on technical precision, layered finishing, and disciplined presentation.

Grilled & Mulled Wine–Glazed Smithfield Ribs

Fire-grilled ribs glazed with a mulled wine reduction and finished with Ember Craft Barrel-Aged Maple and Beer Barrel Hot Sauce.

Fresh chive added brightness. Crispy garlic delivered texture. A toasted almond crumble introduced nutty depth and contrast. The balance of smoke, sweetness, warmth, and clean heat created a dish that was bold yet refined—structured for competition.

Sous Vide & Fire-Seared Certified Piedmontese Ribeye

Precision-cooked ribeye, slowly sous vide for tenderness and finished with a hard sear for crust and contrast. Plated over bone marrow butter parsnip-Parmesan purée and finished with an Ember Craft Black Truffled Steak Sauce–balsamic reduction, beef tallow–fried onion, and micro garnish.

Temperature control. Texture contrast. Clean plating. Every layer intentional.

(Picture from Rachael Ruiz)

Those details earned:
Top Chef – Chef David W. Olson
Best Taste – Steak and Potatoes, Live Fire Republic

Leadership Behind the Event

The success of Taste of Hope West Michigan is driven by culinary leadership and community collaboration.

Chef Shawn Kohlhaas, co-founder and visionary of the Taste of Hope event, continues to play a foundational role in shaping the competition’s standards and structure. His leadership ensures that the event remains both a serious culinary platform and a meaningful community gathering.

The event is led by Caralee Waswick, whose direction and coordination bring together chefs, sponsors, volunteers, and board members to create a seamless and high-level experience year after year.

The Chefs and Restaurants of Taste of Hope West Michigan

One of the strengths of Taste of Hope West Michigan is the diversity and quality of participating culinary teams. This year’s event featured respected establishments from across the region, including:

• Live Fire Republic – Experiential live-fire culinary team known for disciplined execution and bold finishing.
• MDRD – A modern Spanish-inspired fine dining destination known for bold flavors and polished execution.
• SILVA – Ingredient-driven contemporary cuisine with a strong focus on seasonality and refinement.
• Margaux – Elevated dining experience blending classic technique with modern presentation.
• MeXo – Contemporary Mexican cuisine celebrated for vibrant flavor and authenticity.
• Terra GR Restaurant – Modern American fare rooted in thoughtful sourcing and hospitality.
• The Candied Yam – Soul-forward cuisine with heritage-driven flavors and community focus.
• SoulFilled Chef – A culinary brand centered on soulful cooking and bold seasoning.
• YoChef’s Catering Company – High-level catering execution known for consistency and polish.
• Gun Lake Casino Resort – Resort-level culinary programming delivering scale and quality.
• Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals – Culinary leadership demonstrating excellence within healthcare hospitality.
• K-ROK Grand Rapids – Korean-inspired cuisine with high-energy flavor and technique.
• K-Pocha Holland – Korean pocha-style dining bringing street-food vibrancy to the table.
• Sandy Pointe Beach House – Hospitality-driven coastal concept focused on guest experience.
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – World-class venue and in-house culinary team capable of executing high-volume events with precision.

Additional award recipients included Chef LaKisha Harris, Chef Andy Krause, Chef Oscar Moreno, and Chef Clark Frain—each recognized for outstanding contributions to the evening’s competition.

A distinguished judging panel—including respected chefs and culinary leaders—evaluated each dish with professional rigor, ensuring the integrity of the awards.

Team Live Fire Republic

Behind every recognition is a team.

Team Live Fire Republic executed with focus and alignment, supporting Chef Olson’s award-winning performance through preparation, plating, and disciplined kitchen systems.

The Live Fire Republic mission remains consistent: high-level execution, intentional flavor layering, and professionalism under pressure—whether on a national stage or within a community-driven competition.

Why This Recognition Matters

The room was filled with chefs we respect. Restaurants we admire. Leaders who care. Volunteers who serve. Guests who show up.

Winning in that environment validates something simple: craft still matters. Technique still matters. Discipline still matters.

At Live Fire Republic, we believe that world-class execution is built in repetition, teamwork, and respect for the plate. This event reaffirmed that belief.

We’re grateful to the American Cancer Society, to the leadership team behind Taste of Hope, to our fellow chefs, and to the community that continues to support this event year after year.

We look forward to returning—ready to compete, ready to collaborate, and ready to serve something bigger than ourselves. Built by fire. Built by family. Built to serve.

Join The Fire

Follow along and subscribe at livefirerepublic.com for hundreds of our favorite live fire recipes, grilling techniques and outdoor cooking adventures from around the world. Better yet, pull up a chair and join us at a Live Fire Republic experiential event—where the fires burn hot, the tables run long and everyone leaves well fed. -Cheers, and long live the adventure, David @LiveFireRepublic