KAHULUI – Maui Culinary Academy (MCA) at the University of Hawaii Maui College, in partnership with the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine, will present the 18th annual Noble Chef benefit on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The event begins with a lively courtyard reception at 6 p.m., followed by an elegant gourmet dinner with entertainment and auction at 7:30 p.m.

New this year is an after party celebration at 9 p.m. in the Kea Lani’s Mezannine Lounge with wine and spirits, as well as tastings from The Market by Capische?

Tickets are $250 for preferred seating and $195 for general seating. Table sponsorships begin at $3,500. Tickets and tables can be purchased at http://bit.ly/NC14Tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Noble Chef, MCA’s largest annual fundraiser, features a mentorship program that pairs together top Maui’s chefs and MCA students.

This year’s event theme is “The World on a Plate – La Dolce Vita,” represented by a celebrity chef-designed reception menu spanning the flavors, regions and “the good life” spirit of Italy.

After the reception, guests will sit down for a multi-course, gourmet Italian dinner and entertainment in “Rome,” followed by dessert in “Venice” prepared by MCA’s faculty chefs.

In addition to preparing the evening’s meals together, the celebrity chefs and the students they mentor spend several days together beforehand in an intimate learning exchange, providing invaluable hands-on experience for MCA students.

This year’s celebrity “Noble Chefs” are Robert Andrade of Four Seasons Maui’s Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante; David Gemberling of Bistro Casanova; Wes Holder of Pulehu, an Italian Grill; Eric Favre of Grand Wailea’s Bistro Molokini; Marc McDowell of The Mill House at Maui Tropical Plantation; Lyndon Honda of Laulima Events & Catering; Anton Haines of Pacific’O; Matteo Mistura of Matteo’s Osteria; Travis Morrin of Three’s Bar & Grill; and Chris Kulis and Brian Etheredge of The Market by Capische?

MCA faculty chefs include Jake Belmonte, Tom Lelli, Craig Omori, Mike Umetsu, Theresa Shurilla and Christina Pafford.

In addition to the evening’s reception and dinner presentations, which include live entertainment and hosting by Emcee Dean Wong, The Noble Chef will also include the presentation of a student award, the Tylun Pang Aspiring Chef Scholarship, as well as a video premiere featuring MCA students and faculty.

To learn more about The Noble Chef and Maui Culinary Academy, visit noblechef.maui.hawaii.edu.