DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne’s Italian heritage and the farming families who settled here in the late 1800s will be the focus of the 2010 Mamma Mia Cook-off planned for Saturday. 

Presented by Supporting Educational Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools, the sixth annual fundraiser for Daphne schools will be held on the grounds of Daphne City Hall, 1705 Main Street, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Twenty-eight culinary teams representing corporate and non-profit groups from throughout the Baldwin-Mobile area will feature locally grown products as they compete for top honors in four categories: Carne (meat), Pollo (chicken), Frutti di Mare (seafood) and Senza Carne (meatless).

Dr. Glenn Glass of Baldwin County Orthodontic Specialists and Wind Creek Casino are title sponsors for this year’s event, with more than 70 area businesses and organizations sponsoring at the Oro, Argento and Bronzo levels. 

Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 on event day. Two glasses of wine and a choice of all entrees are included in the ticket price. 

Authentic Italian desserts — a popular Mamma Mia feature — will be available. 

Randy Davis and the Jubilee Orchestra will provide musical entertainment while football fans can enjoy the Alabama vs Mississippi State game on large screen televisions.  

For the first time this year, Mamma Mia guests will select the People’s Choice Award winner by voting ($1 per vote) for their favorite dish or display. 

Long-sleeved event T-shirts featuring Ameri’ca Jones-Gallaspy’s Olde Towne Daphne mural, “Le Prime Famigle Italiane di Daphne,” will be available for purchase at $15. A large silent auction and door prizes will round out the evening.  

Advance tickets are available all week at Daphne City Hall, Daphne Recreation Department, Will Hughes Catering and Market, the Frame Corner, Baldwin County Orthodontic Specialists, Riviera Utilities, The Neighborhood School and in all Daphne schools.

Tickets may be also be purchased online through Friday at www.seedsindaphne.org.

Proceeds from the Mamma Mia Cook-off benefit SEEDS’ Classroom Enrichment Grant Program that has provided more than $170,000 for innovative projects in the five Daphne public schools and at Christ the King Catholic School since 2005. 

Contact SEEDS at 656-7333 or by email at info@seedsindaphne.org for more information.