They may not be ready to be Food Network stars, but two local celebrities will compete in a Mystery Box Cook-Off Challenge Friday night.

It will be interesting to see who gets CHOPPED. The Kiwanis Club of El Centro is hosting the event at the Imperial Valley Food Bank. El Centro Mayor Martha Cardenas-Singh will be pitted against Mayor Katie Burnworth of Imperial in a challenge to match their cooking skills for a panel of judges that includes Matthew Cowie and Tim Kelley. The third judge will be available to the highest bidder at the contest.  The cooks will use items that would be included in food provided to those in need by the Imperial Valley Food Bank. The dishes created by Mayors Burnworth and Cardenas-Singh will be for the judges to choose a winner. Guests will have an extravagant charcutier table and hosted bar available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Imperial Valley Food Bank and other projects that benefit the children in our community. 

The Mystery Box Cook-Off Challenge will be Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Imperial Valley Food Bank on Aten Road in Imperial.  Tickets are available by calling Vicki at 760-352-1300.