The annual Signature Chefs Auction to benefit the March of Dimes is set for Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the Portland Art Museum. Top area chefs will prepare gourmet dishes to delight even the most discriminating palate. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on amazing one-of-a-kind items and experiences in the silent and live auction.

Typically chefs cook for the love of food, but at Signature Chefs some of Portland’s finest chefs will be cooking for the love of babies. The chefs will create signature dishes to be enjoyed at the event. In addition, they have prepared exclusive culinary packages to be auctioned to raise money for March of Dimes lifesaving research and programs.

Participating chefs include:

• Tim Eckard, Headwaters
• Kenny Giambalvo, Pazzo Ristorante
• Thomas Dunklin, The Waiting Room
• Ron Baker, Chefstable Catering
• Chris Czarnecki, The Joel Palmer House
• Alexander Sullivan-Parker, Swank & Swine
• Kyra Bussanich, Featured Dessert Chef, Kyra’s Bake Shop

According to 2017 Event Chair, Jason Chupp of Swinerton Builders, “I am honored to chair an event with such a powerful mission to help babies. Where else can you sample the fabulous food of so many amazing chefs in one room and give back to our community at the same time? We really are helping to give every baby a fighting chance.”

At the event, guests will hear the moving story of the Bergheim family: Curt, Jennifer and Cole. Cole was born 15 weeks too soon, weighing just 1 pound, 1 ounce. He spent a hard fought 300 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Thanks to the efforts of NICU nurses, doctors and cutting edge research funded by the March of Dimes, Cole is now a courageous and curious four year old.

Approximately 400 guests are expected to attend the annual event that raises about $325,000 for the March of Dimes. For more information visit signaturechefs.org/portland or call (971) 270.2890.