CHEFS' AUCTION SET SEPT. 20 TO BENEFIT MARCH OF DIMES

Diners have an opportunity to sample the culinary delicacies of restaurants and caterers in the Cape Girardeau area and then bid on packages of food and entertainment during the first Chefs' Auction Sept. 20.

The auction will benefit the March of Dimes. Money is generated through admission fees, raffles and the auction.

Chefs will offer a selection of their specialties prior to the auction. The sampling begins at 6:30 p.m. and the auction starts at 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Osage Community Centre.

Auctioneers are Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and his wife, Pam.

To enhance the attraction of meals, donors are adding things like complementary tickets to college or professional sporting events, limousine travel or even a weekend adventure to a destination associated with the theme or decor of the establishment. Travel, lodging and other activities are the responsibility of the package donor.

Honorary co-chairmen are Dennis "Doc" Cain and Dan Grim. Auction chairman is Jerra Hutson. Participating food providers are Cafe Alexander, Cedar Street, Jeremiah's, In the Wine Cellar, Mollies, My Daddy's Cheesecake, Pilot House, Port Cape Girardeau, Royal N'Orleans, Unique Caterers, Bel Air Grill, Patricia's Tea Room in Dexter and Whaler's Catch in Paducah, Ky.

Following the auction, music will be provided by Kittie Moller and Fanfare.

Across the country, chefs' auctions raise more than $2 million for the March of Dimes annually.

The March of Dimes provides programs to prevent birth defects.