CONTRIBUTED

Local residents can feast on some of the best food in the area on Sunday, Sept. 2, at the annual Culinary Showcase organized by the Moore County Chamber of Commerce.

The showcase, held at the Carolina Hotel, begins at 6 p.m. and concludes at 8:30 p.m

More than a dozen eateries will present their top gastronomic creations at the Pinehurst Resort. Thanks to this partnership, guests will not only eat exceptional food but also will sample wine from 25 vineyards. In addition, they will have the opportunity to bid on several food and wine silent auction items.

"We're excited about this being the sixth year of the Culinary Showcase," said Patrick J. Coughlin, president and CEO of the Chamber. "The students that receive the scholarships from this event and our guests that support the event are truly phenomenal."

Eateries will compete for individual tastes with the People's Choice award. Those that are confirmed to date include Caribbean Cafe & Tapas, Cold Stone Creamery, Curt's Cucina, Di'Lishi Frozen Yogurt Bar, Ledo Pizza and Pasta, Mellow Mushroom, Pinehurst Resort, Railhouse Brewery, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Sandhills Community College, Shucker's Oyster Bar and Grill, Southern Prime Steakhouse, St. Joseph of the Pines, Texas Roadhouse, The Market Place and White Rabbit Catering.

Guests can expect dishes ranging from divine seafood to elegant desserts and everything in between, and they can feel good about indulging their appetites. A portion of the proceeds from this event funds scholarships for students in the culinary arts program at Sandhills Community College. The scholarship covers the costs for a year of the two-year program. Other proceeds support Chamber member programs.

"The Culinary Showcase isn't just about eating," Coughlin said. "It's about the entire taste experience and enjoying the company of friends."

The showcase was made possible through a partnership with Penick Village and is presented by Aberdeen Coca-Cola, Aging Outreach Services/Outreach NC Magazine, ALSCO Inc., Candice Farrell, The Pilot, The Fayetteville Observer, Gorenflo & Campbell, Jellison Press Printers, Pinehurst LLC, R.A. Jeffery's, Railhouse Brewery, Sandhills Video- graphy, Sarvis Management and Real Estate Services Inc., STAR 102.5, WFJA/WWGP, WLHC-FM - Life 103.1 and WIOZ-550 AM.

To purchase tickets, call the Chamber at (910) 692-3926 or log on to www.moorecountychamber.com. Tickets are $50 per person and includes food and beverages.