Move over Curious Cook, the local battle of the grill is coming to the small screen.

The thrilling finals of last month's Chef of the Year Competition will be aired tonight on VSB, channels 4 and 11.

The 30-minute special will allow viewers into International Imports' kitchen to see Bermuda's top chefs vie for the top honours.

Event creator and organiser Karla Lacey Minors said the TV special should make for sizzling drama since this year's final, which took place on May 11, was the most challenging yet.

In previous years chefs were allowed to pick their mystery basket of ingredients a few days before the finals, giving them time to sit down and devise a menu. This year the four finalists were given a set time limit in which they had to devise a recipe.

Chef Mathew Lines took home top honours this year which included Continental Airlines ticket to anywhere in the US, Mexico or Latin America.

The Bermuda Chef of the Year Contest, featured 16 chefs preparing original recipes under the watchful eye of judges and a captivated audiences.

Formerly known as the Master Chef Cook-Off, the annual event successfully blends the necessary ingredients for a excellent dining experience -- good food and interesting people.

While enjoying a glass of fine wine, patrons were given an opportunity to watch the chefs prepare a signature dish and sample the preparations.

And since 1995, the culinary event has raised thousands of dollars for worthwhile charities like Meals on Wheels, the Red Cross, Age Concern and PALS.

"Over the years we have raised about $40,000,'' revealed Ms Lacey Minors.

"This year we were able to give almost $10,000 to the Friends of the Hospice.

"We raised more money this year than any other year thus far because we managed to fit more seats into International Imports.'' Recently, a cheque for $9,600 was presented to Winfred Richards of the Friends of the Hospice, the charitable arm of the hospice Agape House.

"We haven't decided how we will spend the money yet,'' confessed Ms Richards.

"But I know that it will be patient oriented -- everything that we do is aimed at making the patients happy and comfortable.'' And the owner of the Par-La-Ville culinary emporium, Reeve Trott, said he plans to throw open his store's doors next year for the event.

Recipe for success: From left, Chef coordinator Libby Francis, Tredick Gorham of the Supermart, Chef of the Year Matthew Lines and Reeve Trott of International Imports Chef Shop recently presented Winfred Richards (second from right) with a cheque for $9,600. Charles Gosling of Gosling Brothers was unable to attend.