NATCHEZ — In the South, nothing brings people together like good food, and Copiah-Lincoln Community College realized that years ago.

The school’s annual fall cooking competition — which originated as an Iron Chef-like event — is set for Thursday with a new name and a new twist.

Taste of Co-Lin Natchez will pit the best cooks from a variety of different student clubs and organizations against each other.

Each team will prepare its best dish for tasters to sample.

Anyone can come and eat for $5 and earn a chance to vote for their favorite food.

Voters will also judge the decorations on each group’s booth. The decoration theme is monster bash.

The event is organized by the Trailblazers organization, a student ambassador group.

“We will have plenty of fantastic food,” said Nancy McFarland, academic counselor advisor to Trailblazers. “There will be a variety of entrees, desserts, casseroles and other dishes. These organizations are really competitive.”

Taste of Co-Lin is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the W. L. Nelson Multi-Purpose Room of the Redd/Watkins Career and Technical Education Center.

Proceeds will be used for promotion and recruitment expenses at the Natchez campus.