COOKING UP A BENEFIT: The culinary delights of local chefs will share the spotlight with author and guest speaker Gary Shteyngart at the Princeton Public Library’s annual gala fundraiser on November 1. Among the chefs are, from left: Scott Anderson of Elements, Terry Strong of Mediterra, and Ben Nerenhausen of Mistral. (Photo by Yamile Slebi)

There was a time when Princeton was not considered a restaurant town. But as any local foodie knows, those days are in the past.

Capitalizing on the popularity of several successful eateries in and around town, the Princeton Public Library decided to ask local chefs to participate in this year’s benefit. The chefs agreed not only to prepare the food for the event on Saturday, November 1, but to donate most of it, for what planners of the party hope will be 425 or more guests.

Before dinner, the featured speaker at “Beyond Words” is Gary Shteyngart, author of novels The Russian Debutante’s Handbook, Absurdistan, and Super Sad True Love Story as well as the memoir Little Failure. Mr. Shteyngart will speak at 6 p.m. at Princeton University’s McCosh Hall.

Following the author’s talk, the party moves to Frick Chemistry Building on the campus. Partygoers can walk to the location or be ferried by shuttle bus. Dinner will be presented at food stations catered by restaurants including Chambers Walk Cafe, Elements, Eno Terra, Main Street, Mistral, Mediterra, Tre Piani, and Witherspoon Grill. The meal follows an array of hors d’oeuvres and drinks from Cherry Grove Farms, Olives, and Olsson’s. Desserts and additional items come from The Bent Spoon, Bon Appetit, Chez Alice, House of Cupcakes, Small World Coffee, and Thomas Sweet.

“After our success at last year’s event with dinner from food trucks, we knew that we wanted to offer a variety of cuisines,” said Yamile Slebi, chair of the benefit. “And we realized that we have that right here in town. We want to build community. After all, the library is known as the community’s living room. So we decided to invite local restauranteurs to work with us. We wanted to be inclusive, instead of hiring a single caterer.”

First to be approached by the library were Scott Anderson, chef at Elements, and Ben Nerenhausen, chef at Mistral. “They immediately responded,” Ms. Slebi said. “because they feel like they are our neighbors. The same thing happened with the Momos (of Mediterra and Eno Terra), Jack Morrison (Witherspoon Grill) and the owners of Main Street and Chambers Walk.”

Princeton University is donating the use of its buildings for the benefit. “We couldn’t have done anything without their support and generosity,” Ms. Slebi said. Additional donations have come from large companies like NRG, and smaller operations such as Suretech, Pinneo Construction, and Hamilton Jewelers. “Even the little companies that participate in the farmers’ market are helping out,” said Ms. Slebi. “One is donating its honey. So it’s a way for us to help promote them, while they support us.”

The evening includes silent and live auctions, as well as an after-party in a tent behind the Frick building. “It’s with a DJ in a clear tent, under the stars, for those who wish to stay longer,” Ms. Slebi said.

Benefit tickets range from $200 to $500 each. The library raised $130,000 from last year’s event. Sales are “going well,” Ms. Slebi said on Monday. “We’re halfway sold. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for the library, in terms of events.”