Celebrity chef Robert Irvine will emcee a fundraiser at the Food Marketing Institute’s Executive Conference Jan. 27 in Miami.

Irvine, best known for his Food Network shows “Dinner Impossible,” “Restaurant Impossible” and “Worst Cooks in America,” will emcee Stir it Up!, which supports the FMI Foundation and its growing family meals program.

“(Irvine is) the perfect celebrity to host the most significant culinary event that demonstrates how family meals are possible,” says Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI and president of the FMI Foundation.  “Moreover, Chef Irvine is about to become one of the most visible celebrity advocates of family meals when he launches his new book this coming January called, Family Table. We are absolutely thrilled that he will join us at Stir It Up! and in the family meals movement.”

Stir It Up! showcases companies’ culinary skills in a friendly competition to dish up the best family meal in the following categories: easiest, tastiest, healthiest, most affordable, and best culinary adventure. Last year, five hundred FMI Midwinter attendees participated in the exclusive culinary competition serving as judges, voting on their favorite family meals.

Entries encompassed more than 20 dishes and sides for participants to taste and select their favorites. The event garnered a record-breaking $1.1 million to support the role of food retailing through research and education in the areas of food safety, nutrition and health.