2024 Taste of Hope Competition

On Oct. 28, 2024, 15 esteemed chefs will go head-to-head at the Taste of Hope: A Chefs Competition to compete for the prestigious Top Chef of the Year title – and to join the fight against cancer. Hosted by the American Cancer Society, this event uses the power of culinary arts to bring together the community to raise funds for a disease that affects the lives of so many. This year, Beacon Hill’s very own Chef Grace Ogas will represent the only retirement community in this competition filled with West Michigan’s most talented chefs.

But for Chef Grace, participating in this cook-off isn’t just about giving attendees a taste of the remarkable dining experiences Beacon Hill has to offer – it’s about furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to eliminate cancer, a disease that’s no stranger in her life. Chef Grace’s grandmother and aunt were diagnosed with cancer, and her family has first-hand experience in dealing with the many hardships that come with it.

“A cancer diagnosis is scary enough, then the reality hits of trying to find financial resources, education and more information,” Chef Grace says. “It completely upends your life. I appreciate that the American Cancer Society is here as a resource, because I saw how much time my parents spent finding resources and support.”

Chef Grace’s love for cooking sprouted while growing up in Thailand. She remembers fondly how much family dining experiences meant to her as a child because “when we sit at the table and eat together – that is one of the only times when you’re all together.”

Chef Grace loves old-school cooking. In her family, her grandmother and aunt always knew exactly what a dish needed – and certainly did not have to worry about writing it down or following a recipe. She believes the combination of learning from older generations and her formal culinary arts education shaped her into the chef she is today.

Chef Grace began her career as a chef 10 years ago in Seattle before moving to Grand Rapids, where she worked in a variety of restaurants, including Gravity, Ando (now Maru Sushi) and The Winchester. In 2022, Chef Grace joined the Beacon Hill culinary team and began to cook up a host of fusion dishes with a Thai touch. She draws influence from Executive Chef Luke Theaker and feels inspired by the leadership team and the amount of flexibility and creativity Beacon Hill provides. You may have even seen her on the road serving up her signature Rice n’ Spice menu out of Beacon Hill’s very own food truck, the Traveling Plate.

Her work ethic is unparalleled, and she gets joy out of cooking creative, ethnic dishes. She will often pick a country she’s visited, learn its cuisine and try making the dishes herself – an exercise that uses her knowledge of other cultures to take Beacon Hill residents and on new and exciting culinary adventures.

But not even her love of exploring other countries is preventing Chef Grace from participating in an event with such an extraordinary purpose. In fact, she is postponing a trip to Australia just so she can compete.

“I want to show people that cooking in a retirement community is a lot more than people think,” Chef Grace says. “We grow the majority of our seasonal produce at the community, and you can’t beat that freshly picked flavor. I put a lot of love into my food, and I am very proud of what I am serving – it would definitely be something I eat myself.