They arrived in Shipyard Park bearing spiced chicken, salted scallops, jambalaya, four-cheese macaroni and cheese, clam chowder, and other fare.

Beneath a white tent from the Mattapoisett Lions Club, local chefs set out dishes prepared for “Men Who Cook,” a three-hour charity event hosted by The Women’s Center in New Bedford.

Twenty-six chefs attended this year. All donated time and food to raise money for the center, which offers services to survivors and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child trauma.

The event came to town three years ago and has established itself as a pre-Harbor Days tradition. “I literally had to turn people away the first year we held it because we had so many show up,” Rebecca McCullough, the center’s developmental director, said.

McCullough has organized Men Who Cook, considered the center’s “signature event,” since it arrived in Mattapoisett. Previously, New Bedford High School hosted the event where chefs, both amateur and professional, brought in food cooked off-site.

However, stricter food-handling guidelines were enacted a few years ago making it difficult to stage Men Who Cook as it had been and was then cancelled.

Now, chefs prepare food at the event, in a Board of Health certified kitchen at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, or bring in meals – if the chefs are ServSafe certified. ServSafe is a National Restaurant Association program that teaches proper food safety guidelines.

One chef, Mattapoisett’s Ken Dawicki, has cooked at the event for 15 years ago.

Joining him Sunday night were his brothers Joe and Duke. Together, they are the “Polish Mafia” according to Ken. From behind a large pot of his special clam chowder Ken, a meat cutter, said his reason for coming back each year is simple: “I like supporting people that need a hand.”

Chef Henry Bousquet served pan-seared scallops donated from Ocean Fleet in New Bedford. The culinary arts instructor’s dish had a touch of salt, caramelized onions, and other spices.

“The scallops have a little bit of salt. There’s some sweetness in there too. It’s a nice mix,” Bousquet, who is also a New Bedford city councilor, said.

Colby Rottler’s four-cheese macaroni and cheese drew many diners to his station. Rottler, a private chef, said the event lets him practice his culinary skills, while supporting The Women’s Center.

“This is an excellent venue to raise money for the center,” Rottler said. “It’s easy for people to make donations and [the chefs] get to show off what we can do.”

Though The Women’s Center is New Bedford-based, it’s services are needed throughout the region, McCullough said.

“There’s a big need out there in every community,” she said. “I’m always amazed when I attend events like this because usually, not always, someone will say ‘I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for The Women’s Center.’”

Education, support, and counseling programs are offered there.

“Domestic violence is a vicious cycle. It’s tough to get out of that without help,” McCullough said.