The March of Dimes’ Southwest Division will host its 19th Annual Signature Chef’s Auction on Saturday. The annual event benefits the organization’s campaign to end premature birth, infant mortality and birth defects.

Tricia Christian, spokesperson for the March of Dimes, said that last year’s Signature Chefs Auction earned approximately $70,000 for the organization. She explained that all of the funds are used for the March of Dimes’ programs and grants to organizations that assist pregnant women.

“We have one grant going to teach professionals how to do a better method of prenatal education,” said Christian.

The March of Dimes has three major annual events, including Bikers for Babies, March for Babies and the Signature Chef Auction.

On Saturday night, chefs from across Southwest Florida will assemble at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa to prepare local food that falls under the evening’s theme, “Chefs Around the World.”

Participating chefs are from a number of local restaurants including Bistro 41, The Timbers, Biddles, Cru and Blu Sushi.

Guest chefs each prepare one or two of their specialty dishes for patrons to sample, but at the same time they are competing against each other to win the Epicurean and People’s Choice awards. Cooking stations will also be judged for being “best decorated.”

Starting at 8 p.m. officials will lead a live auction where guests bid on jewelry, local original artwork, restaurant packages and trips around the world.

This year’s celebrity judges include Stephanie Davis, Karen Feldman, Elaine Giammetta, Vollen Loucks, Rose O’Dell, Ken Ryan, Drew Sterwald and Jeff Treuheit.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of 10. For more information on purchasing tickets or the event, contact Community Director Roxann Franklin at 433-3463.

For more information on the March of Dimes, visit: www.marchofdimes.com.