On June 23, 2012, Sacramento will be treated to the Sacramento Chef Challenge, an annual fundraiser for people with developmental disabilities that features an "Iron Chef" style cooking battle, Cake War competition, gourmet food sampling, beer and wine tasting, live music and more!

For $25 a piece, guests are treated to a culinary extravaganza beginning with fair from local restaurants, wineries and breweries including The Couch Sports Lounge, Two Rivers Cider, Terra d’Oro Winery and Morgan’s Restaurant.

The first of two competitions will pit three professional chefs in a head to head battle for culinary glory. Chef Challengers will have three hours to prepare and sample an original menu to event guests, who will then cast their vote to determine the winner. Chefs will have to integrate three specialty ingredients into their menus while incorporating the theme “Hot Summer Nights!” This year’s chef challengers are Kristela Nazario-Mendoza of Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant; Keith Erickson of Colusa Casino Resort; and Philippe Caillot of the Institute of Technology Culinary Arts Program.

The second competition is Battle Cupcakes. A combination of professional and amateur cupcake makers will compete in a sweet competition by creating an original cupcake and display to be tasted by and voted on by guests! The 2012 professional challengers are Carlos Mares of Vanilla Bean Gourmet Cupcakes, Bethany Gist of Auntie Bea’s Bakery and Monique Cortes of Sassy Sweets by Monique. Amateur competitors will be announced in mid-May!

The Sacramento Chef Challenge is a fundraiser for INALLIANCE, a local nonprofit that provides services focusing on the independence, health and safety of people with developmental disabilities, which means the $25 ticket price will go towards a great cause.

The event also boasts some fantastic raffle and silent auction items including a Lake Tahoe Getaway, a Disneyland Vacation and season subscriptions to the B Street Theatre Company. If all of that isn’t enough to send you flying to the computer to buy tickets, there will be live music!

Tickets make a great gift for Mothers and College Grads, and can be purchased online at www.chefevent.com. For more information please email jbean@inallianceinc.com or call 916-381-1300 x170.