DAPHNE, Ala.—Hometown and professional chefs alike will bring out their best Italian fare at the 2008 Mamma Mia Cook-off on Saturday evening, Nov. 8. The fourth annual fall fundraiser celebrating Daphne’s heritage and benefiting Supporting Educational Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on the grounds of the new Daphne City Hall.

Team guidelines and entry forms are available at seedsindaphne.org and team registrations received by Friday will be featured in a commemorative 2008 Mamma Mia program.  Those received after Friday will be recognized at the event.

“Anyone who loves cooking and a great cause is invited to take part,” Ashley Hammond, SEEDS president, said. 

Family and neighborhood teams will join local businesses, restaurants, civic organizations, churches and schools as they compete for Il Primo Premio (first place) in two divisions (Corporate and Non-Profit) and four different categories: Carne (meat), Senza Carne (meatless), Pollo (chicken), and Frutti di Mare (seafood) entrees.

For their $25 advance admission ($30 at the gate), Mamma Mia guests can sample prize-winning recipes and fine wine with musical entertainment provided by state Rep. Randy Davis and the Jubilee Orchestra. Authentic Italian desserts will be served “a la carte” and big-screen college football will be available for die-hard fans.

Tickets purchased online at seedsindaphne.org  through Saturday, Nov. 1 will be mailed to purchasers; those ordered after that date will be held at the gate. Advance tickets are also available at  Daphne City Hall, Daphne Recreation Department, Will Hughes Catering and Market, Uncorked Fine Wines, Baldwin County Orthodontics, The Frame Corner, the  Neighborhood School or at any Daphne public school or Christ the  King  Catholic School.

Numerous companies and organizations have signed on as event sponsors including:

The Mamma Mia Cook-off supports SEEDS’ Classroom Enrichment Grant Program that has distributed more than $83,000 to participating Daphne schools since 2006.

For more information, contact Denise D’Oliveira, SEEDS executive director, at (251) 656-SEED (656-7333) or at info@seedsindaphne.org.