Help out: $80,000 at chefs benefit

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A record amount of $80,000 was raised Oct. 13 for the March of Dimes at the annual Signature Chefs benefit at Charleston Embassy Suites.

About 350 guests tasted signature dishes of some of the region's finest chefs.

Participating chefs this year included: Chris Ross of Bellefonte Country Club; Paco Aceves from Bridge Road Bistro; Thomas Grant from Carver Career Center; Jeremy Still from Edgewood Country Club; Mark Schnurrpusch from the Embassy Suites; Fritz Devilla from Ichiban Pan Asian Cuisine; John Phillips from Charleston Marriott Town Center; Shawn Wolfe from Pancho's Mexican Cantina; Phillip Bricker from The Wooden Spoon; and Micheal Bowe from Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center.

Funds raised by the auction support lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping women deliver healthy, full-term babies including the NICU family support unit at CAMC Women and Children's Hospital.

The Peoples Choice winner this year was Chef Devilla from Ichiban Pan Asian Cuisine. Culinary judges Reggie Carnemolla, Otis Laury, Judy Grigoraci and Patty Ruddick awarded the winner for Best Taste to Chef Bricker of The Wooden Spoon.