What: The 2008 Celebrity Chef Challenge, a benefit for InAlliance, serving adults with developmental disabilities.
When and where: June 6 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg; $50 ; visit www.chefevent.com or call (916) 381-1300.
The cookers: Chefs compete with five surprise ingredients to create three original dishes in 45 minutes, with spectators observing the action. Chefs include Jim Turknett, Sterling Hotel; Thomas Patterson, Piatti; Thomas Daly, Sequoia Restaurant; Michael Fagnoni, Hawks; Billy Ngo, Kru; John Gurnee, Mason's; Adam Pechal, Tuli Bistro; Carolyn Kumpe, East Bay Restaurant Supply; and amateur challenger Chevo Ramirez, Wells Fargo Bank.
Just for spectators: Food, local wine sampling, hosted beer and wine bars, music by Ronnie and the Cabana Boys, artwork, a silent auction and more.
Names to note: Judges will be Ruthie Bolton, Dennis Mangers, Teri Munger and Ettore Ravazzolo. City Councilman Rob Fong and Sharon Gerber will be the announcers. Co-chairmen are Chuck Dalldorf and Mike McGowan.
Beneficiary: Established in 1952 by a group of parents seeking a day program for their adult children with disabilities, InAlliance provides employment training, job placement, supported living, community training, and work and life skills for 380 adults in Sacramento, El Dorado, Yolo, Yuba and Sutter counties. Visit www.inallianceinc.com or call (916) 381-1300.
Featured volunteer: Karen Weddle was approached by an InAlliance board member to help set up the silent auction, a new feature at the Celebrity Chef event.
"I incorporated friends to help out and to show the committee how we do it here at Christian Brothers School," said Weddle, who works at Christian Brothers High.
"Because InAlliance is coming in at the end of the fundraising season, it has been more of a challenge to get auction items. The silent auction should help raise some additional funds."
Born and raised in the Yuba City area, Weddle has a daughter at CB and another at St. John's University in New York.
