A strawberry is dipped into a chocolate fountain from Chocolate Fountain Oasis, owned by Linda Golab of Clearfield Township. She is one of 25 vendors participating in the Chef Tasting Party and Auction to be held Sunday at The Mansion in Penn Township.

PENN TWP — When the menu for the evening includes Moroccan Almond Chicken, Lobster Risotto and Shrimp Amaretto, how do you choose?

Guests at the 13th Annual Chef Tasting Party and Auction Sunday won't have to.

The event, which benefits Community Care Connections, will again be held at The Mansion.

The dining room and ballroom will be lined with 25 chefs, caterers and food professionals representing various restaurants, food and beverage distributors and candy makers.

Admission to the event gives participants freedom to taste all they want and to meet the chefs who prepare their favorite dishes.

"(The chefs) get to come out from behind the kitchen walls and show you what they can do," said Larry Goettler, one of the owners of the Brick House restaurant, which has participated in the event for several years.

Though a newcomer to the event, Chef Geoff Straub of Siba, a Mediterranean restaurant in Seven Fields, enjoys any opportunity to step out of the kitchen and meet people.

"You get a day out of the restaurant and you get to cook," said Straub.

Goettler noted that since the event attracts many "foodies,"participants take great interest in the preparation and ingredients that go into the featured dishes.

When choosing a dish to offer at his booth, Straub chose Roasted Red Pepper and Chicken Farfalle, a popular choice at Siba.

Though Goettler chose to keep the Brick House's featured dish under wraps, he said that their dish is generally one from the restaurant's menu.

"Typically we'll try to feature something that's on our menu. We may add a little twist to it," he said.

In addition to pleasing ticket buyers, restaurant representatives look forward to interacting in a non-competitive environment.

"It was such good exposure and such a positive atmosphere that I volunteered to be on the committee five or six years ago, said Kathy Fagley, chef and owner of The Runway Restaurant in Penn Township.

Now in charge of compiling the list of participating vendors, Fagley said that she tries to encourage participating chefs to choose a dish that will add variety to the selection.

One obliging restaurant, The Monroe Hotel, will be bringing Parmesan-crusted Pork Medallions, the only pork dish among a variety of pastas, seafood and chicken dishes.

There is more to the event then just a savory side, however.

Linda Golab of Clearfield Township, owner of Chocolate Fountain Oasis, is looking forward to once again display a cascade of rippling chocolate with both sweet and salty dippables."I haven't had an event where it wasn't a big hit,"she said noting how the aroma of warm chocolate can fill a room.Other features include wines from two local wineries, a selection of beers, coffees, and fruit and cheese displays.

In a tent behind The Mansion, participants will also be able to bid on items in a silent auction.Golf packages, garden baskets, gift certificates and gourmet cakes made by chefs at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute will be among the items auctioned off.Organizing this annual event is a committee composed of past participants, such as Fagley, Community Care Center Staff and employees of Prudential Preferred Realty, the event's corporate sponsor."It's our biggest fundraiser, and it's certainly one that's well supported," said Pat Brennan, executive director of Community Care Connections.During the 2005 event, about $27,000 was raised to support the organizations, which offer care, skills training, recreational opportunities and advocacy for disabled residents of Butler County and some in surrounding counties.Organizers and participants alike are hoping for similar success this year."It's a good community event," said Golab. "A community event for a good cause."

<b>What:</b> 13th annual Chef Tasting Party and Auction presented by Prudential Preferred Realty<b>When:</b> 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday<b>Where:</b> The Mansion, Route 8, Penn TownshipCost: $40 per person, tickets available at the Butler or Zelienople offices of Prudential Preferred Realty, Runway Restaurant and Lounge or by calling Community Care Connections at 724-283-3198Participating vendors:Brick House, Jimmy G's, Bartolomeo Pio Winery, Runway Restaurant and Lounge, Sysco Food Service, Chocolate Fountain Oasis, Reinhart Foods, Pearberries, Café Gusto, JDM Coffee, Kaufmann House, The Fluted Mushroom, Shakespeare's, Siba, Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Springfield Grille, Fuhrer Wholesale, Cala Lily, Thomas's Fine Chocolate and Bruster's Ice Cream

Golab, owner of Chocolate Fountain Oasis, will join chefs to display their tasty wares at Sunday's event, will benefit Community Care Connections. Local wineries will also be represented, as well as a selection of beers, coffees, and fruit and cheese trays.

Peg Maier of Friedman's catering service took part in the 2005 Chef Tasting Party and Auction.