If you enjoy cooking, competition and cats, Chopped for Charity is perfect for you. The event will benefit the Columbia Animal Shelter and will be held on Saturday, March 30, at John Wright Restaurant, 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville, beginning at 6 p.m.

Like the long-running Food Network cooking show "Chopped," the event will challenge contestants to prepare a meal in 30 minutes featuring items contained in a mystery box, said Tammy Jalbert, director of the shelter. The contestants may use other food items and ingredients available in a common pantry, but the dishes must incorporate each mystery ingredient.

Jalbert got the idea for the event after attending a similar competition and fundraiser for Open Table, an organization that fights hunger, while visiting family in Massachusetts. "I had the chance to sit at the table with the people putting on that event, and I thought, 'This is something really cool and it's not being done around here,'" she recalled. She noted that the organizers of the Open Table event, which has been happening for more than a decade, graciously offered tips on the logistics of hosting a similar fundraiser.

Chopped for Charity will begin with a buffet dinner prepared by John Wright Restaurant, followed by a short program focusing on the work of Columbia Animal Shelter. The culinary competition will begin about 7:30 p.m. The chefs who will be competing are Mike Weierbach from Get Smok'd BBQ, Larry Williams from WebstaurantStore and Austin Hallet from John Wright Restaurant. 

 There will be four guest judges for the event, Jalbert said. Details are still being finalized, but one of the judges will be Diane Dayton and the fourth judge's seat will be auctioned off at the event.

"This will be followed by a live auction featuring six food experiences ranging from farm experiences to private dinners with local chefs in your home," she stated. "There will be a fund-a-need paddle auction where, during the bidding process, I or the veterinarian will discuss just what their dollars will be able to do for the shelter."

Local businesses will provide ingredients for the mystery box, she said, noting that the "Chopped" TV show always has a twist, typically challenging contestants to make a cohesive dish out of seemingly unrelated or unusual ingredients.

"It will be challenging for the contestants but not impossible," Jalbert shared.

Proceeds from Chopped for Charity will benefit the nonprofit animal shelter, supporting its low-cost spay/neuter clinic, low-cost wellness clinic and community outreach programs.

"It is becoming increasingly more expensive to do business," Jalbert said. "Most people don't realize the cost of medicine alone has increased in the animal care world by 40%."

Tickets are limited for Chopped for Charity, and the ticket order deadline is Friday, March 22.

"If you're looking for a fun evening where you can watch people cook in a friendly competition, have some laughs, help out a great cause with the shelter and maybe even learn some cooking techniques, you don't want to miss this," Jalbert remarked.

To order tickets for Chopped for Charity, visit http://tinyurl.com/mr2dt9wa or go to http://www.eventbrite.com and search "Chopped for Charity."