It was all about kids and food, glorious food, at Make A Wish's second annual Culinary Creations black-tie fund-raiser Thursday at the Phoenix, downtown.

        The idea here is four chef stars each whip up a course of a drop-dead dinner, then let themselves be auctioned off, promising to do dinner for 10 at the winning bidder's home. Each chef was introduced by a fresh-faced Make A Wish client.

        The after-dinner auction — talk about a bunch of well-dressed people on the brink of a food coma! — was plenty spirited, thanks to Channel 19's Sheila Gray egging them on. (Co-emcee Rob Williams had to leave early for a 3:30 a.m. wake-up call.)

        Chef John Kinsella, head of the culinary program at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, whipped up a lobster bisque and was later sold for $1,500.

        Sarah Wagner, chef at the Bankers Club, did the entree — beef tenderloin stuffed with mushrooms and topped with a red wine demi glace — and was then sold for $1,200.

        Tournament Players Club chef Sean Kagy did the salad, a crisp mix of greens, oranges and smoked chicken breast. His services went for $1,400.

        Phoenix chef Corwin Johnson, operating on his home turf, did rum cakes with strawberries. He commanded the highest price: $1,700.

        Wine was served by a crowd of celebrity servers: Survivor's Rodger Bingham, former Bengal David Fulcher, WEBN's Bob the Producer, MIX 94.1's Liz Bonis and Rob Carson and a selection of police and firefighters, including superstar chili cook firefighter Bill Donovan.

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