The Hospitality Club of Sandhills Community College is hosting a "Carolina Chef Series," showcasing some of North Carolina's top chefs.

This eight-week series will be held Monday evenings from Sept. 14 through Nov. 2 (with the exception of Oct. 5), at the Russell Dining Room on the college campus.

Each week a guest chef will offer a cooking class demo show, featuring some of their own signature dishes, and offer a tasting of all dishes afterwards. Most will be doing a three-course demonstration consisting of a cold course, a hot course and a sweet course, but this may vary depending on what each chef decides to cook.

Featured chefs include

n Sept 14 -- Mark Elliott of Elliott's on Linden, who will be fabricating a side of lamb, teaching the various cuts and boning techniques, and preparing several dishes using the lamb.

n Sept 21 -- to be announced.

n Sept 28 -- Ashley VanCamp and Gerry Fong, of Ashtens in Southern Pines, who were finalists in the 2009 Fine Dining Best Dish NC competition. The restaurant's philosophy is to use the menu to get people excited about local foods.

n Oct. 12 -- Fred Thompson, editor of Edible Piedmont magazine and a columnist for The News & Observer as well as author of eight cookbooks, will be at the grill.

n Oct. 19 -- Shane Ingram, of Four Square, Durham, a 2009 Best Dish in NC Fine Dining winner, also likes to use as many locally and self-grown foods as possible.

n Oct. 26 -- Oresti Arsi of Corfu Taverna, in Southern Pines specializes in authentic Greek dishes and quality ingredients.

n Nov. 2 -- Lucindy Willis of Yancey House Restaurant in Yanceyville, is also a 2009 Best Dish in NC Casual Dining Winner. During her 40 years of entertaining the core of her cooking philosophy has never altered: Use only the highest quality ingredients; keep guests in mind during your planning; cook passionately and let food inspire you.

Reservations and payment are needed due to limited seating. Walk-ins will be allowed if seating is still available. Call Lavada Alsbrook at (910) 695-3796 to secure a reservation.

"We do allow a 72-hour cancellation policy," says a club spokesman.

The price per person is $25, or $40 a couple. A multiple show special is available for three shows/two seats for each for $100.

The Hospitality Club of Sandhills Community College is an extracurricular club comprising culinary, baking and pastry, hotel/restaurant management and spa/resort management students.

The mission of the club is to bring all the hospitality students together, to meet and learn from one another's majors, do community activities and fundraising, and to further education in the hospitality industry.

"We plan activities, raise money and use those funds to travel to industry events, such as trade shows, culinary shows and culinary competitions," says the club spokesman. "Our major goal right now is to take the club members to New York in November for the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show."