Perched on the tranquil shores of Bowers Harbor along the picturesque Old Mission Peninsula, The Boathouse Restaurant stands as a premier beacon of fine dining in Traverse City. More than just a restaurant with a view, it is a deeply rooted community institution that blends historical charm, hyper-local agriculture, and a pioneering partnership with the next generation of culinary talent.
While many restaurants claim a “farm-to-table” ethos, The Boathouse lives it through owners Doug and Erin Kosch’s family farm — Malem Farms. Named after their daughters Mallory and Emma, the farm is located just miles away from the restaurant on the peninsula. This 10-acre farm is the restaurant’s primary larder. The farm provides a seasonal bounty of vegetables, fruits and over 700 apple trees, alongside farm-raised chickens and Muscovy ducks. This “locavore” commitment ensures that ingredients like microgreens and heirloom produce are harvested at their peak, often reaching the kitchen within hours.
Perhaps the most significant factor in the restaurant’s success is its relationship with the Great Lakes Culinary Institute (GLCI) at NMC. Since opening, The Boathouse has acted as a real-world laboratory and a primary employer for GLCI graduates. The lineage is strong: current Executive Chef Samuel Plamondon is a graduate of GLCI, and his kitchen is filled with graduates and interns. In addition to Chef Sam, former long-time Executive Chef James Morse is a GLCI alumnus who now serves as full-time faculty member at the institute, continuing to mentor the chefs who walk through The Boathouse’s doors. Plus, countless others who used their experience at The Boathouse as a springboard to other culinary endeavors here in TC and around the globe.
As an aside, at a recent chef’s dinner, Chef Sam informed us that in addition to his culinary skills, during the pandemic, he enrolled at Northwestern Michigan College where he received certification in HVAC-R and construction technology. So, in addition to farm-to-table cuisine he is able to make sure the equipment doesn’t let him down as well.
This partnership culminates in high-profile events like the upcoming Great Lakes Culinary Institute Trip Abroad Dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 3. These themed evenings are more than just meals; they are fundraisers that support student scholarships and international study experiences. The Feb. 3 menu will feature culinary delights from the Piedmonte region of Italy, where these lucky students will travel in May.
I volunteered to chaperone the trip and was told to get in line.
Now for the most important aspect of this dinner. When you make your reservation and purchase your tickets at boathouseonwestbay.com/events $100 of the ticket price is being donated directly to the scholarship fund. The majority of the cost of the dinner is being donated by Doug and Erin Kosch.
If you are a long-term patron of The Boathouse, or this would your first time, here’s an opportunity to be selfish and benevolent at the same time. We all agree that The Boathouse is special because it represents a perfect harmony of location, history, and community. It is a place where you can enjoy world-class Kobe beef while knowing the greens on your plate were grown by the owner and the chef in the kitchen might have just fixed the stove that cooked them.
By investing in local students and local soil, The Boathouse doesn’t just serve food; it nourishes the entire culinary ecosystem of Northern Michigan.
Go to boathouseonwestbay/events and reserve your spot today .
You didn’t think I’d write a column without something related to Medicare.
First, at 6 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 19 at the Traverse Area District Library I will be presenting “Medicare 101: A beginners guide to understanding the ins and outs of Medicare” — a free educational seminar, open to the public and no sales material or specific plans will be discussed.
If you are 64 and getting ready to enroll or you are retiring and need to transition to Medicare this is for you.
Call 231-944-1400 to reserve your seat. Space is limited.
Second, we just entered the Open Enrollment Period. If you missed the opportunity to review your coverage for 2026 or are unhappy with what you did you have one more chance to make changes. OEP runs Jan. 1 through March 31. Call to schedule appointment.