KILLEEN (August 3, 2012)--The fourth annual Flavors of Central Texas will feature creations from than 20 local restaurants, caterers and bakers from the surrounding area on Tuesday at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.

If the samples alone don't reel you in, the aroma from cooking demonstrations and competitions will.

A silent auction is also scheduled.

The fun lasts from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Celebrity Chef Steve Southern will be on hand to talk to guests and judge the competition.

Southern is the Executive Chef at the Vineyard at Florence in Florence and the owner of Southern's Fine Dining in Austin.

Visitors to the event will be given a scorecard upon entering the facility and will select their favorite entrée, side dish, dessert, and decorated booth.

Entrants could win The People's Choice Award, which is based on the scorecards, or the Top Chef Award, which will be selected by the guest judges.

There is one catch, though.

Participants in the top chef challenge must use a secret ingredient that will be revealed to them the morning of the event.

Last year's winner was III Corps and Fort Hood Culinary Arts Team, which will be competing this year to defend their title.

Ticket prices are $25 at the door, $10 for children ages five to thirteen, and free for anyone under the age of five.

Funds will benefit the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce members and the community, a spokesperson said.