Taste The West Side 2023

Help Give Back

Celebrate Community Success By Giving Back

Every Spring, Steepletown hosts Taste the West Side to honor the accomplishments of its participants. Featuring several of the West Sides’ restaurants and breweries, Taste is an amazing event bringing together the diverse culture and communities to celebrate these accomplishments and to support Steepletown’s ongoing efforts.

The Taste

2023

March 22nd

The event will be held at: 

Goei Center - 818 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

  on 

March 22nd

Event Instructions

This event has ended. We will see you next year!

83___ Steepletown TWS 2023-0
Taste The West Side Award Winners
Gabriella Chrapek
Alumni Excellence Award
Chef Karen commented: “Gabby was the first visually impaired student I’ve worked with in the kitchen. I have learned so much from her. During our time together we focused on Gabby’s goals and what skills I could teach Gabby along with creating & using adaptive equipment that makes it possible for her to work in a kitchen. Her determination to succeed is what I will remember most about our time together.”
KIMG0469
The Mitten Brewing Company
Neighborhood Recognition
The Mitten Brewing Company started in 2012. Four years later Chris and Max began the Mitten Foundation in order to be more intentional and focused in their giving. As Max shared in an interview: “The giving program has been here since day one. We always wanted it to be a part of what we do here (at the Mitten). We feel like as responsible business owners, giving to the community, especially here on the West Side, is a necessary part of doing business. Its not just something we want to do, its something we have to do.
Mitten
2024 Award Winners:
Alumni Excellence Awards

Josie Krocker, Darion G. Pierce, Gregory Bresnihan, Juan Zendejas

Neighborhood Recognition Award
AYA Youth Collective
 
2023 Award Winners:
Alumni Excellence Award
Gabriella Chrapek
was the first visually impaired student I’ve worked with in the kitchen. I have learned so much from her. During our time together we focused on Gabby’s goals and what skills I could teach Gabby along with creating & using adaptive equipment that makes it possible for her to work in a kitchen. Her determination to succeed is what I will remember most about our time together.
 
2022 Award Winners:
Alumni Excellence Award
Matthew Peterson
 is a past Kitchen Sage participant (2018) where they showed a strong dedication for culinary arts.  Matthew went on to train at theBlythfield Country club, and after two years he had achieved the position of sauté/grill cook at The Green Well restaurant.

Alumni Excellence Award
Netty is a past participant of many Steepletown programs.  Their efforts paid off, earning their GED, getting a job, and then another job, and completing a CNA training program.

Steepletown Neighborhood Recognition Award
Mercedes Lopez-Duran/El Granjero Mexican Grill in 2007 Mercedes was working as a waitress in a restaurant, which was closing.  Realizing the impact it would have on the workers and the community she decided to take on the challenge of keeping the doors open and renamed it El Granjero Mexican Grill.  Since 2007 Mercedes, with her family have continued their services to their staff and the West Side community.

2021 Award Winners:
Alumni Excellence Award
MIlan Rea 
is a past Kitchen Sage participant (2015) where they showed leadership skills quickly.  They have continued to develop their culinary skills and network across the culinary community where they are respected by all they meet.

Steepletown Neighborhood Recognition Award
Engineered Protection Services 
 EPS Security have long been strong supporters of Steepletown and Kitchen Sage.  This support has provided instrumental resources for provide programing to the community. They truly share our mission of neighbor helping neighbor live with dignity and hope. 

Business Sponsors

EPS
Underwriting Sponsor
Pienton Family Foundation
The Steepletown
5/3 Bank
The West Side
Grand Rapids Community College
The West Side
Amway
The West Side
Fence Consultants of West Michigan
The Stockbridge
Swift Printing
The Stockbridge
Sibsco, LLC
The Stockbridge
Interphase Interiors
The Stockbridge
Ottawa Communications
The Stockbridge
Madelaine Lane
The Stockbridge
Horizon Bank
The Stockbridge
Mercantile Bank
The Stockbridge
Corewell Health
The Stockbridge
Emergency Care Specialists
The Stockbridge
CompuCraft Technology Solutions
West Fulton
GVSU
West Fulton
Micron Manufacturing
West Fulton
The Well Being
West Fulton
Crawford & Laurie Craft
West Leonard
BHS Insurance
West Leonard
Rockford Construction
West Leonard
Jerry's Garage
West Leonard
Bud & Susan Brasic
West Leonard
Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
West Leonard

The Taste Archive

Click on one of Taste the West Side’s years to see who the sponsors and participants were for that year.