Celebrity Chefs ready to serve at 39th annual dinner

Auburn's community is bringing a wide range of delectable dishes at the 39th annual Celebrity Chef on March 12. The event, hosted by the Auburn 49er Lions at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, is buffet style where attendees will have a chance to try a large variety of foods. "It's all you can eat. People can go back for seconds until we run out of food," said Dave Johnson, president of the 49er Lions Club. There will be 50 attending chefs from all across the Auburn community. Last year featured chefs from the Assistance League of Greater Placer, Auburn State Theatre, Auburn Police Department, Old Town Pizza, Mod Pizza and many, many more. The Old Town Candy Store will also be there with candy and chocolate. Additionally, the Sugar Plump Fairies will return with their raffle. Last year's raffle featured about 50 prizes. "There's going to be meatballs, there's going to be all kinds of desserts," said Johnson. This year's Celebrity Chef will have a large diversity of foods from across cultures from Italian to Mexican cuisine, to chili and Native American tacos, Filipino lumpia and Old Town Pizza's return. The spread is as impressive as ever this year with tastiness that will surely match. The money raised will benefit the local community through the 49er Lions Club, which operates charities like Larry Norris Christmas and various other benefits. The drive for old glasses and hearing aids will also be running again. A portion of the proceeds of each ticket purchased at the Assistance League of Greater Placer Thrift Shop will also go toward the League's charity operation. Celebrity Chef is the 49er Lions' biggest charity event of the year. Tickets for Celebrity Chef will be sold at the door for $25 each. They can be purchased at the aforementioned Assistance League Thrift Shop, 1263 Grass Valley Highway, and Golden Swan Jewelers, 881 Lincoln Way.