SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Want to help Prodisee Pantry continue feeding the physical and emotional needs of residents across Baldwin County? Come to Fairhope’s Great Kitchens Oct. 21.

“Chefs Challenge Hunger” is the third in a series of events hosted by the Spanish Fort-based nonprofit in tandem with San Antonio artist Michael Nye’s “About Hunger and Resilience” exhibit at the Eastern Shore Art Center.

The fast-paced cookoff will pit chefs from five area restaurants against one another as they race to create mouth-watering culinary delights using only a selection of items from the standard Pantry Box of staple items distributed to some 175 families in crisis each week. The emergency food and referral agency has provided assistance to more than 27,000 Baldwin County families facing hardship stemming from job loss, medical expenses, natural disasters and other crisis.

The fundraising event will feature the skill and precision of chefs from Guido’s, Panini Pete’s, Tamara’s Downtown, Wash House and Jesse’s restaurants. Mobile’s resident celebrity chef and owner of NoJa’s Restaurant, Chakli Diggs, will coronate the evening’s Top Chef.

Tickets for the event — available at the Eastern Shore Art Center and all Spanish Fort and Fairhope locations of BancorpSouth — are $75 per person and ensure samples of the tasty creations.

Self-professed “foodie” Grace Simpson of Fairhope said the hunger-awareness art exhibit that served as the cookoff’s inspiration struck a chord deep within her, and she has already purchased her Chefs Challenge tickets.

“Some of the stories I heard just ripped my heart out, and I know my buying tickets for a fundraiser won’t change the world, but it does make me feel like I’m doing something to help,” Simpson said.

Nye’s interactive photographic and audio exhibit runs through Nov. 12, offering a glimpse into the lives of 30 people across the country who are either struggling with hunger or have emerged stronger for the experience.

Five-minute, first-person audio recordings are paired with stark, black-and-white photos intended to put real faces with the very real stories of hunger.

“Prodisee Pantry worked with the nationally-known artist over a two-year period with four area families sharing their stories. Each is powerful, moving and inspiring for a multitude of reasons,” said Deann Servos, the agency’s executive director. 

The Eastern Shore Art Center is at 401 Oak St. in Fairhope. For more information, call 928-2228 or visit www.esartcenter.com.

Want to go?

What: Chefs Challenge Hunger

When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 (Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated on this line that the event takes place Oct. 31)

Where: Great Kitchens, 23736 U.S. Highway 98, Fairhope

Cost: $75 per person (Tickets available at the Eastern Shore Art Center and all Spanish Fort and Fairhope locations of BancorpSouth.) All proceeds benefit Prodisee Pantry in Spanish Fort.