Enumclaw Regional Hospital’s Truffles Cafe waltzed away with the Signature Chef Auction’s Best Decoration and Best Overall awards at the Nov. 13 March of Dimes fundraiser in Tacoma.

According to Truffles Cafe chef Rich Cook, Truffles Cafe was among 14 restaurants invited to participate. Participants included Tacoma area favorites like El Gaucho Steakhouse and Stanley and Seafort’s.

El Gaucho took the third prize – Best Sample.

Each restaurant brought an offering for the $250-a-plate fundraiser. Cook, who was aided by Geri Binder, Sandy Oliver and Shannon Long, offered chocolate-dipped strawberries that were decorated like tuxedoes and a corsage stuffed with mascarpone and topped with strawberries.

Those attending the auction served as judges.

At the auction, Cook turned around and donated a gourmet dinner for 10 that fetched $850 from the highest bidder.

This is the first year Truffles has participated in the March of Dimes fundraiser.

In other news, Cook, who has been with Truffles Cafe for nearly nine years, has resigned to take a position as nutrition services manager at Highline Community Hospital. Cook has been part of the team that turned hospital food into something desirable to eat in the community through the cafe’s outside catering business.