What's not to love about a ballroom (in this case at the Hilton Americas-Houston) brimming with chefs (20 in all) cooking up a storm to the delight of partygoers, who dropped enough dinero on this evening to raise a whopping $956,000 net for the March of Dimes. That figure put funds raised at the 2011 "Signature Chefs" gala an amazing 80 percent higher than last year.

Applause, applause for chairs Rosemary Schatzman and Vanessa Sendukas and honorary chairs Sheridan and John Eddie Williams. The team clearly kicked it up several notches this year with a specatcular inner-circle of dinner tables, each costing $15,000 and $25,000.

The reward for ponying up the big bucks was a special four-course sampling menu (really a full dinner including the extraordinary flaming red snapper) prepared by Tony's chef Grant Gordon and served by Tony's razor-sharp staff led by Scott Sulma. Of course, the man himself, Tony Vallone, was front and center on this evening when he was recognized as 2011 Culinary Honoree.

Kicking it up a notch included a fanciful ballroom setting for the La Cage aux Folles themed evening. The Events Co.'s Richard Flowers and Kirksey Gregg brought in a forest of soaring palm trees and go-go cages filled with preening Vegas-style showgirls dripping in feathers.

Those who paid the regular tariff for the evening perused the ballroom sampling the creative delicacies of chefs such as Mark Cox, Lynette Hawkins, Renato De Pirro, Michael Pellegrino, Randy Evans and Robert del Grande.

A panel of judges stuffed themselves royally as they sampled each of the bountiful offerings. Winning top honors as Best in Show was Barbara McKnight of Catering by Culinaire for the Texas stone crab bouillabaisse presented in a very cool bar-type setting. Taking honors as People's Choice was Mockingbird Bistro's John Sheely, whose slow-braised short ribs with butternut squash puree had guests swooning.

Taking bows on this evening were community honorees Elizabeth and Gary Petersen; medical honoree Linda Russell, CEO of The Woman's Hospital of Texas; and mission family honoree Elizabeth and Anthony DeLuca and their children.

In the cocktail-attired crowd sampling the chefs' best were auction chair Michelle Smith, culinary chair Lorie Elizabeth James, Donna Vallone, Courtney and Bo Hopson, Janiece and Steve Longoria, Milette and Haag Sherman, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Patti Murphy, Kimberly and Frank DeLape, Alicia Smith, Jana Arnoldy and Phoebe Tudor.