CARRABASSETT VALLEY — The Second annual Maine Celebrity Classic’s Chef Celebrity Gala is planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, in the Sugarloaf Conference Center at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort.

The goal of the event is to raise money to build a greenhouse at the Waterville Area Boys & Girls Club, so youth can participate in their own garden-to-table sustainable gardens program year round, according to a news release from the Alfond Youth Center. Plans for the greenhouse will be unveiled at the event with an early 2017 date for breaking ground.

Twelve top-rated and award winning chefs from across the U.S. will gather to prepare and serve their signature dishes. Headlining this event is Rockland’s own Melissa Kelly, the first two-time James Beard awarded “Best Chef-Northeast” and executive chef and proprietor of Primo — Rockland. Joining Kelly is Cowboy Cook Grady Spears, Portland restaurateur David Turin, Governor’s Chef Chris Hart, Portland Marriott’s Executive Chef Chris Merriman, the Gaylord Texan’s Executive Chef Juan Martinez, Sharon Hage of Marriott Copley Place, Boston’s Executive Chefs Joe Florio and Mike Panasuk, and Texas Marriott Directors of Food & Beverage Jadan Shieve and Mark Beaupre.

Waterville natives Mark Beaupre and his brother, John, lost their mother, Mary, in 2014. Last summer, to honor her love for gardening, children and lifelong support of the Boys & Girls Club, they created the Maine Celebrity Classic two-day extravaganza and fundraiser at Sugarloaf, where John now resides. With Mark’s culinary expertise and connections, the Chef Celebrity Gala is able to pull in chef talent to delight diners on day one of the event. Toss in trips and excursions in the live and silent auctions, music and dancing from local band, the Boneheads, and set it against the mountainside of Sugarloaf for a summer party like no other.

For those of with a palate for sports, day two offers the Golf Celebrity Classic, headlined by such legends as two-time Cy Young awarded MLB pitcher Bret Saberhagen, NFL Hall of Famer and Patriot linebacker Steve Nelson, and Gold Medal Olympian Seth Wescott. Register a foursome to play with one of the dozen star athletes attending both days of this event.

Last year’s event sold out early so make reservations today by visiting mainecelebrityclassic.org/

All proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville.

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