Choate Construction Partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities®

Savannah, GA (July 6, 2012) – Choate Construction Company Savannah was proud to participate in the fourth annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Chef of the House Challenge on June 26, 2012. Picture “Iron Chef” with a fundraising twist and a “Bring Your Own Challenger” format.

For one week in June, July and August two teams challenge each other and cook for the house each night. The teams are cooking for the families that are staying at the Savannah Ronald McDonald House, the Judges of the competition, and any fans that attend - usually amounting to a total of about 30 people. The challenge is that there is a secret ingredient to incorporate into one or more of the courses. Three possible secret ingredients are revealed one week prior to the event and on the day of the event, the selected secret ingredient is revealed. Judges and houseguests score the overall meal and successful incorporation of the secret ingredient.

The goal this year is to raise $45,000 through sponsorships of the event and fundraising. In addition to being a Gourmet Contributing Sponsor, Choate also raised an additional $350 towards their goal of $450. Fundraising continues through September 2012.

Choate challenged Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co, with whom Choate has completed many successful construction projects. The secret ingredient for this challenge was Avocado. It was very close, but Choate Construction claimed the win for a second year.

Thank you to our judges for the evening, Stacy Jennings (Savannah Morning News), Skip Jennings (Jennings Law Firm) and Chef Bobby Day (Sous Chef at Leoci's Trattoria and Chef of the House Winner from the previous night). Thank you for lending your time and your taste buds to our event!

The Savannah Ronald McDonald House provides comfort and a place to stay for parents who have critically ill or injured children staying in the hospital. The 10-bedroom House offers all the comforts of home- beds, showers, laundry room, and a home-cooked meal prepared each night by community volunteers with the Adopt A Meal program. Raising funds makes it possible for families to stay regardless of their financial situation with the Share A Night program. The House operates at nearly 100% occupancy, 365 days a year. It costs RMHC $65 per day to provide its brand of hospitality for each family.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Coastal Empire
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Coastal Empire is a registered 501(c) 3, non-profit that operates solely on donations. The cornerstone program is the Savannah Ronald McDonald House that serves more than 300 families each year with a “Home away from home.” Other core programs include the Ronald McDonald Family Room® in St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, a mobile dental clinic providing free dental cleanings and examinations, care to underserved, school-age children in Beaufort County (SC). For more information go to www.rmhccoastalempire.org