Kelowna

Their ladles are ready.

Eight of the top chefs in the Okanagan are preparing to compete in the 3rd annual Stone Soup Chef competition.

The competition is a fundraiser for Kelowna's Gospel Mission. This year, proceeds will go towards purchasing a new industrial dishwasher.

Beginning February 13, the eight chefs will gather in the kitchen of the Gospel Mission and prepare a soup using only ingredients donated to the Mission that day.

Celebrity judges will be served at 11:30 a.m. while clients of the Mission will be served at noon.

Eliminations will be held February 13, 15, 17, 21, 23 and 28.

The two semi-finalists will go head-to-head Saturday, March 3 as part of an interactive 'secret ingredient' gala.

The Stone Soup Chef concept is derived from a Aesop's Fable where a stranger comes to a starving village and prepares a 'magical soup,' using ingredients contributed by each villager.

Everyone was fed.

Competitors include:

• Ian Skippen, Local Lounge and Grille
• Jeff Kreklau, Cabana Grille
• Ross Derrick and Stuart Klassen, Delta Grand Okanagan Hotel
• Jeremy Luypen, Terrafina at Hester Creek
• Evelynn Takoff, Raudz Regional Table
• Malcolm Gibb, Manteo Resort
• John Bailey, Lake Okanagan Resort