CAMDEN, Maine # Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is to foodies what Eddie Vedder is to rockers and Tom Brady is to sports fanatics. The energy in his restaurants at service time resembles crowded stadiums before the band takes the stage. It's the stuff of dreams. For Chef Lawrence Klang, executive chef of Natalie's Restaurant at Camden Harbour Inn, it's a dream realized. He and two other chefs have been invited to cook alongside Chef Vongerichten at a benefit dinner taking place in the tiny seaside village of Deer Isle, Maine.

"Jean-Georges represents the best of French cuisine. He is one of my idols," said Klang.

Klang's reputation is solid; his French standards are balanced against his interpretations of classic Maine cuisine. He has attracted a loyal customer base from the year-round communities of midcoast Maine. Summer- and shoulder- season guests of the inn come to try his dishes.

"If Lawrence's customers knew the whole story, they'd be amazed," said Raymond Brunyanszki, owner of the Camden Harbour Inn. "On one hand he utilizes classic French techniques and hyper-modern technology. On the other, he buys locally raised, grown and landed ingredients and honors Maine's long-standing culinary traditions. He's a remarkable chef. The proof is in the amazing depth of flavor in his dishes. We are proud of him and happy that he is getting to live his dream of cooking with Chef Vongerichten."

Four chefs including Vongerichten will prepare a benefit five-course dinner to raise money for ICEC (Island Culinary and Ecological Center), the Deer Isle based non-profit organization dedicated to teaching people the joys and benefits of healthy eating and cooking, utilizing regional products while supporting a sustainable environment.

The dinner will highlight Maine seafood and local organic and sustainable producers of seafood, vegetables, cheeses, cranberries and mushrooms. The chefs include:

* Jean-Georges Vongerichten: Owner of a global empire of restaurants that includes venues in London, Paris and Shanghai, as well as New York's three-Michelin-starred Jean Georges restaurant. Internationally reputed for his innovative, groundbreaking cuisine.

* Michael Leviton: Chef-owner of West Newton darling, Lumière, and Boston's trendy and chic Persephone. One of the Best New Chefs in America in 2000 by Food & Wine. Nominated Best Chef Northeast, James Beard Foundation 2009.

* Melissa Kelly: Executive Chef and proprietor of Primo in Rockland, ME, Orlando, FL, and Tucson, AZ. She is the 1999 James Beard Award winner Best Chef, Northeast.

Chef Klang has been invited to work with native Maine seafood including whelks, oysters, sea urchins and mussels. "The sea urchins are going to be harvested on Wednesday and I'll be cleaning them on Thursday in preparation for a sea urchin emulsion. I'm also planning to serve oysters with nori dressing and shaved black radish." Klang is still working on his menu, "I have to submit my menu on Wednesday," he said, "but there are so many exciting dishes I'd like to make, narrowing it down is the hard part."

All proceeds from the dinner benefit the fall programs of the Island Culinary and Ecological Center which include an Heirloom Apples class, an after school cooking club, community dinners and adult education cooking classes for beginners and advanced enthusiasts. Sponsors for the dinner are Ingrid Bengis Seafood, Jonathan Chase, Ken and Cherie Mason and Rich and Mary Howe.

For more information about the Columbus Day Weekend activities on Deer Isle visit www.edibleisland.org. The dinner is Friday, October 9 at 6 p.m. and is $250 per person, seating is extremely limited.