Battling briskets and clashing kugels will be vying for top honors at Nosh Fest, a Jewish food festival organized by Temple Beth Emet.

Things will be heating up during the competition where participants will be entering bubbeh-friendly, traditional fare. Cooking demonstrations and children's activities will also be held during the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Reform Jewish congregation in Cooper City.

There will be tastings, too, of classics like corned beef, pastrami, blintzes and fish salads. Stations will be staffed by chefs from the Haute Cuisine/Bouer Catering Group, the official caterer for Beth Emet.

``Food is such an important part of our holidays and life cycle events,'' said Kathy Rosen, chairwoman of the temple's leadership development committee. ``This is a great way to promote Jewish culture, and it appeals to the community.''

Committee members are using the festival to raise awareness about hunger. Admission is one nonperishable item, with goods going to local food banks operated by Feeding South Florida (formerly Daily Bread Food Bank), WECARE and Jewish Family Service of Broward County, Rosen said.

``It's going to be that East European, old-fashioned flavor,'' said Peter Bouer, president of the catering group. ``For older people, it's going to be nostalgic.''

Admission is one nonperishable item. Music and cooking demonstrations are free but there will be a charge to purchase food from the tasting stations and participate in children's activities like a bounce house and craft projects.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and cooking competition entry fees will benefit the three feeding organizations, Rosen said.

Already, about 40 entries are signed up for the competition's various categories, which include matzo ball soup, brisket, a casserole called kugel, challah bread, latkes (potato pancakes) and desserts.

``I'm convinced my kugel's going to win,'' said Rosen, one of the contenders. ``I've never tasted one that's better.''

Entries will be judged by a panel featuring U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston; state Sen. Nan Rich of Weston; Cooper City Mayor Debbie Eisinger; Davie Mayor Judy Paul; Beth Emet Rabbi Bennett Greenspon; WLRN host Linda Gassenheimer, whose column Dinner in Minutes is published in The Miami Herald; and Frank Forte, a Fox Sports Net broadcaster.

Other activities will be culinary demonstrations by Morton's Steakhouse, the Mustard Seed Bistro & Market in Cooper City and Plantation plus entertainment by the temple's band and choir and a local rock group called Sub-Zero plus a culinary competition for children.

Bouer said chefs are preparing what he calls a ``back to roots'' Nosh Fest menu. ``It's going to be that East European, old-fashioned flavor,'' Bouer said.

Susan Baigelman, program director for WECARE, said the food pantry is grateful for the outreach effort.

WECARE distributed 300 baskets for Thanksgiving. For Hanukkah and Christmas, the group expects to help about 200 clients.

``We depend on food drives and donations to keep our shelves stocked,'' Baigelman said.