CHEF'S AUCTION TO BENEFIT MARCH OF DIMES PROGRAM

The March of Dimes will sponsor its third annual Chefs Auction Saturday night at the Osage Community Centre to raise money for the support of programs to prevent birth defects.

For the auction, designed to appeal to fine diners, area restaurants have donated "dining experience" packages. Among the packages to be auctioned.

Celebrations Restaurant and Bar has donated a dining experience for six that includes cocktails in the library, a seven-course meal in a private dining area and ends with dinner liqueurs and coffees.

Chartwells' package is a dinner for up to 10 people that includes appetizers, salad, main course, dessert, fine wines and after-dinner drinks.

Mollie's and Rufus Mudsuckers have each donated a happy hour for 20 complete with appetizers and drinks.

Patricia's Tea Room has donated two packages. The first includes a five-course meal for 12 in the restaurant's Victorian-style tea room. The second package is for a Victorian Literary Afternoon Tea for 12 with a variety of sweets, savories, scones and hot teas.

For football lovers, there are two Super Bowl packages. The one from Port Cape is a party for 20 served at any location that includes party foods, a party ball keg, plates and utensils and clean up. The Super Bowl package from The Pilot House, Shivelbines Music and Kohfeld Distributing will feature a 55-inch television, ice cold adult drinks and hearty snacks.

The Pilot House also is donating a Christmas party for 25 in your home with appetizers, holiday punch and adult drinks from Kohfeld Distributing.

The Royal N'Orleans has donated a six-course chateaubriand dinner for six that comes with pate fois gras or oysters casino, pepperpot soup or crab bisque, salad, chateaubriand flamed tableside, French cheeses, fruit, cherries jubilee and cafe brulot.

There will also be a silent auction held throughout the evening featuring items from businesses and restaurants including theme baskets, gift certificates, home decor pieces and entertainment packages. In addition to the auction, there will be a cocktail reception and a dinner buffet featuring culinary specialties from chefs from restaurants and caterers in the Cape Girardeau area.

Saturday's event will begin at 6:30 p. m. with the reception, dinner will be at 7:30, followed by the live auction of dining packages and ending with music and dancing.

Tickets are $40 per person, $75 per couple, $300 for a table of eight. For reservations, call the March of Dimes at 651-6033.