The rivalry between Norwich Free Academy and New London High School students often plays out on the athletic fields of the two cities, but on Friday, one week before their traditional Thanksgiving football game, students will square off in a very different venue.

The first Battle of the Pans Culinary Student Cook-off will be held Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Blaustein Humanities Center at Connecticut College. The prize will be an engraved pan mounted on a trophy base donated by the NFA Alumni Association.

And don't worry about whether the judges will be impartial. The judges of the cook-off – a fundraiser for the Thames River Community Service – will be the culinary students at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton.

The event is the brainchild of noted chef Dan Giusti, who left behind his position as chef at the prestigious Copenhagen restaurant in a plan to revamp school menus for students. Giusti's company, Brigaid, was contracted by the New London Board of Education to bring quality chefs and menus to city schools.

Giusti will pit his student culinary team from New London against the team mentored by NFA chef Jason Everett. Grasso students under the guidance of chef David Miguel will be the judges.

While watching the students prepare their masterpieces, spectators will be able to enjoy hors d'oeuvres prepared by Giusti and his staff along with a cash bar. Tickets for the event are $50 per person. Space is limited.

A limited number of raffle tickets will be sold for $100 each for the grand prize of a dinner for six to eight guests prepared by Giusti in the winner's home anywhere in New London County.

To order tickets or become a sponsor for the event, go to www.trfp.org or call (860) 887-3288.

“We are so pleased to have world renowned chef Giusti offer to participate in this fundraising event,” Kathy Allen, executive director of Thames River Community Service said in a press release announcing the event.

The beneficiaries of the event will be the young parents and children who live at Thames River Family Program, a program of Thames River Community Service in Norwich.

c.bessette@theday.com