Arnolds to Gorge for Good Cause

We’ve seen some wild contests on the society scene--turkey bowling, bachelor bids and land yacht races, to name a few--but here’s a wacky first : on Dec. 5 at Planet Hollywood in Santa Ana, Tom and Roseanne Arnold will participate in a “Battle of the Bulge Charity Eating Contest” with Planet Hollywood President Robert Earl. The winner gets $10,000 for their favorite charity.

The $200-per-person event will benefit the Tom and Roseanne Arnold Foundation--established to financially assist nonprofit organizations that provide services for young victims of sexual abuse.

Planet Hollywood at South Coast Plaza Village is underwriting the affair, which will also feature dinner and a live auction. On the block: a walk-on role in the “Roseanne” television show, movie memorabilia, diamond jewelry, fine art and artistic doodles by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Burt Reynolds.

The idea for the “eat-off” between the Arnolds and Earl came about during a casual dinner.

“The Arnolds were sitting in one of our restaurants with me and Keith Barish (chairman of Planet Hollywood),” said Earl during a telephone interview, “and Roseanne is not in the best of moods. No one is saying much.

“Then the main course is served. We start eating. Pretty soon, she’s looking at me and I’m looking at her. We’re noticing that we’re dining at the same fierce speed.

“When the desserts show up, we fight over them--end up eating them all. She says: ‘I can eat more than you!’ I tell her I can eat more.”

Boom! The stuff-your-face charity bash is born.

“They really wanted to get their foundation launched with a benefit,” Earl said. “And we wanted to help them. This event will be the foundation’s first.”

In a statement, Roseanne Arnold said: “Tom and I really appreciate all of the people who are joining with our foundation to help stop the spread of child sexual abuse in this country. I think we’re off to a great start with this event.”

Child advocates Matt and Tina Schafnitz of Newport Beach are members of the event’s host committee. “Planet Hollywood invited several people from the community to come and have dinner with them a while back,” said Tina. “They wanted to acquaint us with the foundation. And we wanted to check it out before we became involved.”

During the dinner, a video about child sexual abuse was shown. “Both Tom and Roseanne gave testimonials on the video about how they were abused during their childhoods,” Schafnitz said. “We were touched. We’re happy that the Arnolds want to support organizations that work at providing care for children who are victims.”

The event’s dress code is casual. So what will the stylish Schafnitz wear? “Something spill-proof,” she said. “I don’t want to worry about clothes when the food starts flying.”

For information, call: (714) 668-1440.