Three local chefs will be pitted against one another Thursday night in a cook off for a cause.

The culinary skills behind the creations of Carryout by Chrislyn, Open Heart Country Kitchen and the soon-to-be Hackney Distillery will be vying for top honors at the second-annual Iron “Eagle” Chef competition, a major fundraiser for Eagle’s Wings food pantry.

The event takes place at First Christian Church in Washington at 6 p.m. Each chef will present their take on a dish featuring a required “secret ingredient” to a three-judge panel, as well as an audience of diners. Judges include Ann Martin, owner of the Meeting Place Café in Washington, Rachel Midgette, owner of Rachel K’s Bakery, and Beaufort County Schools’ nutritionist Holly Alligood.

“We always pick a healthy ingredient, and, generally, we have in abundance here at the pantry so it’s not too crazy,” said Ann-Marie Montague, director of Eagle’s Wings. “It’s certainly something that any chef can work with and work around.”

Last year’s secret ingredient was black beans, which resulted in at least one entree of shrimp with black beans and rice.

“Everybody who attends will receive three mini-main courses and be able to judge them. It really is a competition, but we have a lot of fun,” Montague said.

In addition to the dinner itself, a silent auction will be held in conjunction with dinner, as well as a wine auction, of sorts. For $10, patrons can choose from an assortment of wrapped wine bottles, that must stay wrapped until they leave church grounds. One lucky winner will walk away with a bottle of wine worth more than $100, Montague said.

“So, there’s something for everyone,” she said. “We have a wonderfully large assortment of items in our auction. We have items from well-known personalities down to next-door neighbors. We’re hoping people really take advantage of that opportunity to get some really good buys.”

Eagle’s Wings does not receive federal or state money to fill its pantries for the food-insecure of Beaufort County, rather the organization relies of the generosity of donors.

“This is really our major fundraiser for 2018, so we’re looking forward to having as good a time and as successful a time as we did last year,” Montague said.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchase at Eagle’s Wings, Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce or Carryout by Chrislyn.