DAPHNE, Ala. — Italians are known for their fine cuisine, and a local education foundation helped show that Saturday night.

Whether it was The Leaning Tower of Pizza’s deep-dish pizza or Mary Ann’s Deli and their creamy vodka sauce, 28 teams that participated in the sixth annual Mamma Mia Cook-off let Baldwin County residents have a taste of their finest offerings while helping the Daphne schools enrich their classrooms.

All proceeds raised from the event went to Supporting Educational Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools — an independent, non-profit organization — and its Classroom Enrichment Program, which focuses on offering students the extra classroom experience.

“The teachers from local schools submit grant proposals to help enrich their classrooms,” SEEDS President Ashley Hammond said.

She mentioned technology upgrades, art and music and school newspapers as classroom enrichment examples.

Teams were divided into the non-profit division and corporate business division, and they competed for awards in six categories: beef; chicken; meatless; seafood; the Mamma Mia Award, which goes to the best display and presentation; and the People’s Choice Award.

As of press time, the total amount of funds raised from the event was not available.

Daphne teachers and Baldwin County residents — including some from the area’s orginal Italian families — attended the event, which patrons praised.

“Last year we used it to pay for our musical,” Mary Trawick, a Daphne Middle School teacher, said of grant money.

“I am a school teacher, so I see where (the funds) go to,” said Tiffany Durant, of Daphne.

“I have gotten a $500 grant every year, and I use it to go above and beyond with my students,” said Sherry Bittinger, a Daphne Middle School teacher.

“The social interaction and fun is the best part,” Fairhope resident and second-year attendee Sabrina Sheppard said.

The event happened outside Daphne City Hall, with tents covering the parking lot and team booths. Teams were allowed to decorate their booths any way they liked, and they could dress up appropriate to their team name and the event’s theme, which celebrated the first Italian families to settle in the city in the late 1800s.

For example, Riviera Romans used Greek letter type for their team name banner, and they dressed in togas to go along with their team name.

There was also live music courtesy of the Jubilee Orchestra, and the University of Alabama football game on a big-screen television for attendees to watch.

“They’ve got the football game on television,” said Stacy Johnston, of Daphne, who has come for all six years. “Everything is great. It’s a great event.”

“The biggest part of it is to see everybody as a community,” Daphne resident Philip Durant said.

 “It’s a very casual, relaxing evening,” said Glen Hare, of Spanish Fort.

“There are people we know. We have kids at Daphne Elementary School, Daphne Middle School and Daphne High School. It’s very personal,” said Mauria Newman, a Daphne resident who came for the second time.

Teams included: Amore Mio, Will Hughes and Catering; Housewives of the Mafia; Ozio; Riviera Romans; Pietra Ruscello; La Familia Grande; No Strings Attached; Dixie Delizioso; Tickling Ivories; Tappeto Uno; Mary Ann’s Deli; Why She Fell in Love; Leaning Tower of Pizza; Daphne East Mad Mammas; Team ABC; Daphne Firefighters; Team Trojan; W L’Italia; Maestras; Roman Reunion; The Gulf Tides; Spanish Fort Presbytalians; The Original Romans; Saintly Chefs; They Sailed the Ocean Blue in Search of Something New; Papa’ Mio; and Bella’s Bistro.