people together for good causes for seven years, is back for another edition in April.

Formerly known as the Master Chef Cook-off, the event features the Island's top professional chefs in competition over a three-week period from April 11 to 26 in the demonstration kitchen at International Imports on Par-la-Ville Road.

The event allows the chefs to take centre stage by creating and presenting their original recipes in a public forum under preset rules and guidelines.

And the public will be able to witness the chefs preparing their signature dishes and enjoy a sample of the preparation and a fine glass of wine while supporting one of the Island's top charities in the process.

This year the entire proceeds from tickets will be donated to the Centre on Philanthropy. Tickets are priced at $45 for the semi-finals and $60 for the finals.

Since the inaugural event in 1995 approximately $40,000 has been raised for various charities such as Meals on Wheels, Friends of the Hospice, Red Cross, Age Concern and PALS.

Last year Mathew Line, also a member of the Bermuda chefs team, beat out 15 others to win the coveted title. For the final the Reefs chef, who hails from Somerset, England, created Bermuda-inspired recipes for rum-painted grouper, spinach, rosemary and garlic mashed potatoes served with star fruit mojo which he created for an audience of 50 at International Imports.

Karla Lacy-Minors created the competition and it has grown to be a popular event amongst local chefs.

"The event started in 1985 when I went to Charles Gosling (of Gosling Brothers) with the idea of chefs competing against each other in a cook-off,'' explained Ms. Lacy-Minors who has the title of event manager.

"Charles immediately took to the concept and felt that it would work best as a fundraiser with all the money raised going to charity. He suggested we approach Reeve Trott at International Imports to see about holding it in their wonderful kitchen.

"Reeve immediately agreed and over the years he's found ways to fit in more seats which has resulted in even more money raised for charity.'' The Supermart came on board as a sponsor in the third year after Gosling Brothers had been the exclusive sponsors in the early years. The Supermart provide the majority of the food and supplies used for the finals as well as fresh baked desserts each night of the competition.

The name of the competition has been changed from "Bermuda's Master Chef'' to "Bermuda's Chef of the Year'' to reflect the fun nature of the event, while at the same time tightening up the rules to make it more serious.

Selected products for recipe creation are Gosling Black Seal Rum, Southern Comfort, Opal Nera Original Sambuca and Martini Rossi Dry Vermouth.

"The competition requires each chef to prepare an original dish, using as a main ingredient one of four Gosling Brothers products,'' explained Ms.

Lacy-Minors.

"Because Bermuda's chefs come from all over the globe and have worked extensively throughout Europe, the Far East and America, they each bring something special to the event.

"Some of the chefs who have participated have cooked for Royalty and in starred restaurants. They are always trying to do better in terms of their creativity and the cook-off allows them to be as imaginative as they like.'' Mrs. Lacy-Minors says the cook-off is a great indicator of what's going to be popular in food preparation and presentation in the coming year.

"I remember back in the second year, Chef Martin Brown prepared salmon on a cedar plank,'' the manager revealed.

"The following year it was all the rage!'' Competition is open to all professional chefs working within the food industry, including catering firm. They have until Friday, March 16 to submit their entries to the competition.

"Chefs volunteer their time and their talents, without which this event would not happen,'' noted Ms. Lacy-Minors.

The winning chef this year will receive a $1,200 travel voucher redeemable for any travel booked through CTravel. Primary sponsors are Gosling Brothers and the Supermart on Front Street. International Imports host the event and the Chef's Shop and the Bermuda Chef's Association oversee the judging process. To purchase tickets -- 40 are available to the public each evening -- contact the Chefs Shop or the Centre on Philanthropy.