Eat for a good cause as the 13th annual “Chef Celebration” returns in October, including a culinary event in Ocean Beach. Each Tuesday evening through the month, a team of San Diego’s star chefs collaborates to host a special dinner at a designated restaurant, with proceeds benefiting a scholarship fund for San Diego’s aspiring culinary professionals. “It’s like dining in five restaurants in one night,” said Jeff Rossman, chef at Terra Restaurant and president of the Chef Celebration Board. “Most of us (cook) something that we’ve never done before. People have high expectations and we have to one-up ourselves every year.” Teams of about five chefs work together to create a menu for each Chef Celebration dinner hosted at one of their restaurants. Each chef cooks a course and periodically makes special appearances to mingle with guests throughout the evening. This year’s hosting restaurants are Bernard’O on Tuesday, Oct. 7, Pamplemousse in Solana Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 14 and Thee Bungalow in Ocean Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The special kickoff dinner was held Oct. 1 at Terra in Hillcrest. Participating chefs throughout the month include Victor Jimenez of Cowboy Star, Chris Walsh of Bite, Brian Malarkey of Oceanaire Seafood Room and Juan Flores of 3rd Corner. Rossman said the event raises about $15,000 to $20,000 for scholarships for San Diego culinary students to attend weeklong continuing education classes at the Culinary Institute of America-Greystone in Napa. They return energized and with new skills to put to use in their home restaurants. “It allows them to go further in their education and bring something back to San Diego,” said Rossman. Rossman said Chef Celebration was started by Ed Moore, then owner of Thee Bungalow, as a way to bring chefs together and create a fun event to attract patrons during the slower months. It has since grown into an annual production “run by chefs and for chefs,” with a 501(c) 3 nonprofit status to raise money for scholarships. Scholarship applications are still being accepted and are available by visiting www.chefcelebra-tion.org. Applicants must have at least two years of kitchen experience in the last four years at the level of sous chef or below. Chef Celebration dinners require a $65 donation per person. To make reservations, contact host restaurants directly. For more information, visit www.chefcelebration.org. Chef Celebration: • Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Bernard’O (858) 487-7171 12457 Rancho Bernardo Rd. Chef Patrick Ponsaty www.bernardorestaurant.com • Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Pamplemousse Grille (858) 792-9090 514 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach Chef Jeff Strauss www.pgrille.com • Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Thee Bungalow (619) 224.2884 4996 West Pt. Loma Blvd. Chef Paul Niles www.theebungalow.com