Local farmers and food producers will come together to support the Top Chef of the Champlain Valley, an Iron Chef experience to be held at UVM's Davis Center on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. The event is a benefit for the Meals on Wheels program of the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging (CVAA). Local farms donate products to be used at the top chef competition and generous donations of community members' time, expertise, and food helps to ensure that no senior in Vermont goes hungry. In the Champlain Valley, over 220,000 Meals on Wheels are delivered each year. Top Chef also seeks to educate consumers about the benefits of buying food products grown on Vermont farms.

Sam Palmisano of Pulcinella's will defend his title against Chef Donnell Collins of Leunig's Bistro and Kevin DesChenes of 156 Bistro. The chefs will have 50 minutes to create an appetizer and entree using a secret ingredient that will be announced at the start of the competition. Observers will watch the chefs go head-to-head in this gourmet cook-off. Additionally, a selection of  hors d'oeurves will be served from some of the area's top restaurants and caterers including Fisher's Fancies, The Essex, Pauline's Cafe, the Farmhouse Tap & Grill, It's Arthur's Fault, Stone Soup, the Sheraton, and the Holiday Inn. Tastings from Shelburne Vineyards, Switchback Brewery, Woodchuck Draft Cider, Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Cabot Cheese will also be available. Tickets are $35 and are available online at www.cvaa.org or call (800) 642-5119. Raffle tickets will be sold for a tasting plate of the winning chef's creation, which will be served in a private dining room after the competition. Raffle tickets are $5 each.

CVAA helps seniors in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties age with independence and dignity, and has helped over 50,000 seniors remain in their own homes. For information about services available for seniors 60 and older call the Senior Helpline at (800) 642-5119.