STARKVILLE — Some of the top chefs in the region will gather Tuesday at Mississippi State University for a cookoff to benefit the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association.
In their Clash in the Kitchen culinary showdown, chefs Ty Thames of Restaurant Tyler, Daniel Weldon of Central Station Grill and Blake Wilbanks of Morrison Healthcare Food Services in Birmingham will create a signature dish with a mystery ingredient prepared on site. In addition to the cooking competition, the event also will feature live music, catered food, beverages and a silent auction.
Judges for the event will be Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors President Marvell Howard, Greater Starkville Development Partnership President Jon Maynard, Mississippi State University graduate and Miss Heartland Danielle Smith, and Rhonda Keenum, wife of MSU President Mark Keenum.
Former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who now serves as special assistant to the president at MSU, will serve as emcee.
The event will take place Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at the Hunter Henry Center. Tickets cost $40 and must be purchased beforehand by calling 601-316-2227.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association, which was founded in 1976 as a non-profit organization dedicated to offering financial assistance to burn victims and their families. The money raised from Burn Association fundraisers assist these families with travel costs, medication costs, and other related expenses.
Additionally, the Burn Association is raising funds to build a new facility near the new Mississippi Burn Center so family members of burn victims will have a “home away from home” while loved ones undergo treatment.
The event Tuesday is being sponsored by Mississippi State University, Oktibbeha County, OCH Regional Medical Center, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and Governmental Consultants of Mississippi. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
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