The Moore County Chamber of Commerce sponsors its third Culinary Showcase, celebrating the rich culinary spirit of Moore County, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst.

In addition, this event strives to make a difference by gifting a portion of the proceeds to its future leaders by presenting scholarships to students at the Sandhills Community College Culinary Arts Program.

The Culinary Showcase offers samples from Moore County's favorite restaurants, caterers and resorts from white linen to checkered cloth.

Chefs participating in the Culinary Showcase will also be competing for "The Culinary Cup" (Best in Show), Best Entre, Best Appetizer, Best Dessert Awards, Best Presentation and People's Choice.

The 2008 Culinary Cup Champion was the Carolina Dining Room. The people's choice award winner was The Magnolia Inn.

Participating eateries include:

The Darling House Pub and Grill; Dog Nation Grill; Elliott's On Linden; Fried Green Tomatoes; Henry's Gelato; Little River Golf Resort; The Magnolia Inn; Penick Village; Pine Crest Inn; Pinehurst LLC; Rhett's Personal Chef and Catering; Shuckers Oyster Bar and Grill; Coach Light Trattoria; Mid Pines Resort; Cold Stone Creamery; Moore Delights; and Poppy's.

Sponsors include Aberdeen Coca-Cola; ALSCO Inc.; Branch Banking and Trust; Crescent State Bank; Embarq Corporation; The Fayetteville Observer; First Bank; FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company Inc.; First Casualty Insurance Group; Four Oaks Bank and Trust; Gorenflo, Biebaum and Campbell PLLC; Harris Wholesale; Hobbs, Upchurch and Associates, PA; The Pilot, Pinehurst LLC; Pinehurst Magazine; Progress Energy; RBC Centura; St. Joseph of the Pines; Sandhills Paint Center; Star 102.5; The Pilot; Time Warner Cable; 550 WIOZ; and WLHC FM Life 103.1.

Tickets are $50 and include all food, drink and one door prize ticket. Tickets are limited and are available at the Chamber office on U.S. 15-501 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting www.moorecountychamber.com.

For more information, call (910) 692-3926.