New London — Ten world-class chefs will descend on New London next month for a competition to raise money for the New London school district.

The “$1.25 Throwdown,” competition will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on June 2 at the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. Chefs will compete to make the best meal working with the same $1.25 budget and nutritional standards required by public schools.

There will be five "lunch waves" at Bennie Dover where guest chefs will go head to head serving their school lunches to the public. Meals will be judged by both students and a panel of respected food writers.

The event is being hosted by Dan Giusti, former executive chef at world-renowned Noma and founder of Brigaid, a for-profit organization hired by the school district to transform its lunch menus.