Gather, all you foodies. This year’s Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner is hosted by Amelia and Florent Marneau at their French Bistro, Marche Moderne, in South Coast Plaza’s Penhouse. At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 100 lucky guests will experience a decadent five-course tasting menu that includes bone marrow tartine, duck confit, and Skuna Bay salmon, accompanied by an abundant selection of wines. South Coast Plaza is a presenting sponsor of this culinary event, and to keep with the James Beard Foundation’s mission to nurture and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through education, a small silent auction will take place to raise funds to support a local Marche Moderne scholarship for promising future chefs.

Among the items to be auctioned off are a year of weekly Spontané Lunches for two at Marche Moderne; a gift certificate and annual valet pass from South Coast Plaza; a night’s accommodation and dinner for two at Studio restaurant, featuring the Chef’s tasting menu at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach; a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; and a nine-liter bottle of Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut donated by Nicolas Feuillatte and Southern Wine and Spirits, paired with Baccarat champagne flutes.

The dinner, which includes a reception, dinner with wine, tax and gratuity, is $300, and $275 for James Beard members. For reservations and more information, contact Nadine Hotong at 714-434-7900.