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The Vine Schoolòòò½ÊÓƵ™s 17th annual Top Chef event brings chefs from around Victoria together to compete against one another. The schoolòòò½ÊÓƵ™s main fundraising event is set for April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Victoria Community Center and averages around 400 attendees each year.

invites chefs from a variety of local restaurants to compete in either a sweet or savory category. Proceeds from the event directly benefit general operations for the school and tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is funded by proceeds collected during the òòò½ÊÓƵœmiracle makersòòò½ÊÓƵ� portion of the event when a video giving attendees an inside look at the work the school does is played.

òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s really important that we are a private tuition-based program, and we understand that the needs of the community are far greater than we could ever serve at the price point that it takes to operate the school,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Erin Hatley, The Vine School executive director, said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe try to do our best and raise funds and grants throughout the year in order to offer tuition assistance to those who qualify.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

In addition to the òòò½ÊÓƵœmiracle makersòòò½ÊÓƵ� portion of the event, there will be a silent auction, live auction and a raffle. The Top Chef event highlights chefs from local businesses around Victoria, giving attendees the ability to try food from a variety of places they may not have had the chance to dine at before.

The 2025 Top Chef event will feature 11 chefs from Victoria. Event attendees will receive a ballot that will be used to vote on the best chef from both the sweet and savory categories once they have finished tasting every dish. Many of the chefs will be returning competitors.

òòò½ÊÓƵœA lot of the chefs take the opportunity to get creative with what theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re known for,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Hatley said. òòò½ÊÓƵœYou have some entries that cook something theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re typically known for, but then you may have another chef do something they havenòòò½ÊÓƵ™t tried yet.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

The Vine School has three unique programs they offer, the foundations program, bridge program and branching out program. The branching out program is the schoolòòò½ÊÓƵ™s young adult program. Students from the program will participate by greeting and serving guests at the event.

òòò½ÊÓƵœAll of our students have participated in helping prepare for the event, especially in the silent auction,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Hatley said. òòò½ÊÓƵœEach classroom has a class project they put in the silent auction. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s always really cool to see what they come up with. Theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve gotten really creative throughout the years and found ways to engage the donors and raise money for the school.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Tickets for the event will be $75 online prior to the event and at the door on the day of the event. Attendees will be treated to beer and wine as well.

òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a super fun evening with great food,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Hatley said. òòò½ÊÓƵœYou will not leave hungry.òòò½ÊÓƵ�