By Merrell McGinness
If you’ve ever wanted to slam a forehand in four-inch stilettos or make a birdie in a tuxedo, now is your chance. The March of Dimes premier fundraiser, Signature Chefs Gourmet Gala, on November
13 will be one of the most interactive in the event’s 21-year history. The format is the same: eight of the city’s finest chefs competing for the honor of top chef, followed by a gourmet dinner and dancing. But this year, each chef’s station will feature a Wii gaming system with a different sport.
As one of the most elaborate black-tie affairs in the city, the scene rivals any L.A. movie set. In keeping with this year’s theme of Gourmet Games, fans will enter the ballroom at the Chattanooga Convention Center through an ornate ticket booth complete with turnstiles. Each chef’s station will be its own vignette, with custom-built facades such as a concession stand or tailgate. For the judging, chefs will walk their hors d’oeuvres to the stage in an elaborate processional that includes athletes and choreographed dancing. But what’s most impressive about this intricate event is that it’s completely driven by volunteer manpower.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Lesley Greenfield, community director for the March of Dimes River Valley division.