Many restaurants will contribute the best of their cuisine for an elegant night of food, drink and opportunity to win auction items.  Chefs Evening is and has been one of Southeastern’s largest fundraisers with this year’s goal being $100,000 according to Lynn Horgan, director of individual, corporate and founder relations.
The event will be held March 23 in the new Student Union Ballroom from 5:30-8 p.m.  Cuisines, drinks, wine tastings and more will line the walls for guests to enjoy.
Attendance usually ranges from 550 to 600 people. The crowd consists mainly of alumni, friends of the university and community members.  Much of the proceeds from these attendees will go towards scholarships for students.
“Our students drive the economy in this region, so for the restaurants that participate, it’s a way of showing their appreciation,” said Horgan.  “They provide everything free of charge to us.  So it’s a way of showing how important Southeastern is to their businesses and a way of giving back.”
Many of the participating restaurants, including Café Nola, Chocolate Vine, Don’s Seafood, Trey Yuen, Benedicts, Jacmel Inn and more, are partnering with local farms to add a fresh taste to Chefs Evening.
 “We’re doing a farm to table theme.  That’s become kind of a hot thing where farms grow organic foods and sell their goods to high end restaurants,” said Horgan.  “This year we have farms partnering with restaurants to provide their dish.  So we’re not just featuring the restaurant but the farm.”
Although this year does contain the farm to table idea, Horgan explained how the committee is no longer choosing real themes, which requires a lot of decoration but are instead sticking to an elegant look.
One previous theme was “Knight in Shining Armor,” but as Horgan points out “that took resources away from what the purpose of it was. You know spending on all those resources.  We just decided to brand it as Chefs Evening and step away from all the decorations and make it a more elegant affair.”
Besides the main event, tickets for the President’s Toast located at the President’s house can be purchased.  Jacmel will be the featured restaurant alongside the featured chef, Doyle Orlando. This pre-party event will have appetizers, wine and more.  
The President’s Toast will occur from 4-5 p.m. before the main event at 5:30 p.m.  
Those who only buy a ticket to Chefs Evening will have another opportunity to toast at the president’s house through one of the many auction items.  According to Horgan one live auction will be a wine tasting hosted by Dr. Crain with appetizers Crain will also prepare.
Other auction items include two 2014 CMA Awards tickets plus lodging and breakfast donated by Blue Tree Marketing, a four day shopping trip to New York at the Plaza donated by Blue Tree Marketing and much more.
Interested guests can purchase an individual ticket to Chefs Evening for $75, a ticket to Chefs Evening plus a Southeastern wine glass for $85 or a ticket to the President’s Toast, Chefs Evening and a Southeastern wine glass for $125.  
Guests can also purchase the Chefs Evening Patron Table which includes eight tickets to Chefs Evening reserved table, eight tickets to President’s Toast, eight wine glasses and their name listed in program for $1, 250. The Chefs Evening reserved table includes eight tickets to Chefs Evening with a reserved table for $650.
Sponsors for Chefs Evening include La Capitol Federal Credit Union, First Guaranty Bank, Whitney Bank, Energy, Holly and Smith Architects, Investor Bank, North Oaks Health System, Northshore Broadcasting, The Daily Star and Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
“It’s going to be a little bit unique this year,” said Horgan.  “It’s a little bit different than we’ve done in the past.”