It's time again to dig your best formal eatin' pants out of the closet; the Chefs' Gala has returned to host 28 Pikes Peak region restaurants and chefs in everyone's favorite local culinary competition. Regardless of who leaves with the top prizes for appetizer, entre, and dessert, patrons go home over-satiated on gourmet treats and music. To add frosting to the cake, the evening's proceeds benefit the Colorado Springs Chorale, our city's volunteer adult choral group that often performs with the Philharmonic.

MOSAIC, a 12-member pops ensemble from the Colorado Springs Chorale will provide a portion of the Gala's entertainment. The Penrose Room's Lila Mori will lend her gift of jazz to the festivities, as will the Teske Jazz Quartet.

The Chefs' Gala competition will be judged in part by attendees (the People's Choice Award) and formally by a panel of nationally renowned chefs and culinary enthusiasts. This year's panel includes New York City's James Shrum and Colorado's own James Mazzio and Helen Dyer, all of whom have garnered recognition and repute for their culinary talents.

For those who'd like to come support their favorite restaurants and chefs at the Chefs' Gala, the following participants will be competing: Amuse Gourmet, Black Tie Gourmet Catering, The Blue Star, Briarhurst Manor, Carlos' Bistro, Charles Court Restaurant at the Broadmoor, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, The Cliff House, Craftwood Inn, Cravings, The Food Designers, Georges Auguste, Gratzi at the Wyndham Colorado Springs, Hopscotch Bakery of Pueblo, La Petite Maison, Liberty Heights, The Margarita at Pine Creek, Mackenzie's Chop House, P.F. Chang's, Paravicini Italian Bistro, The Pepper Tree, Phantom Canyon, Riley's at the LeBaron Hotel, Sencha, Swiss Chalet, The Tavern at the Broadmoor, The Warehouse, and Zorbadillo's Heavenly Greek/Neptune's Caf.

A silent auction will accompany the culinary competition.

-- Matthew Schniper

Colorado Springs Chorale Chefs' Gala

Broadmoor International Center, 1 Lake Ave

Sunday, Feb. 20, 5 - 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $85 per person or buy nine, get one free ($765 per table of ten)

For reservations or information call 634-3737

For more info on Colorado Springs Chorale visit www.cschorale.org