But Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling owners Jerry and Julie Nabhan proved last year that dinner at the dump can be a classy affair and are out to do it again at the 2004 event to benefit two Sunnyvale groups.

Last year, more than 300 people attended the feast hosted by Specialty. This year, they hope to have up to 500 guests, eating and dancing, despite the image a dinner at a dump conjures.

"Some people think 'I'm not going to go eat, because it's going to smell,' but it's not," Jerry said. "The only thing they're going to smell is a world-class barbecue."

The event is not actually at the dump at the northern tip of Sunnyvale, but at Specialty's truck maintenance yard in Santa Clara.

Jerry said that this year's selection of oysters, steak, chicken, chili, salmon and other dishes should raise more than $20,000, and that will be split evenly between Sunnyvale Community Services and Leadership Sunnyvale.

All the cooking is done by Sunnyvale public safety officers, and their families do the serving. Il Postale--a popular downtown Italian restaurant--is donating salads, Le Boulanger is donating all the rolls, and the Nabhans' son Jeff "D.J. Nabs" Nabhan is providing music for dancing after dinner.

Tickets are $40 per person or $20 for children under 10. Dress is casual, but warm clothes are recommended for the evening. For information, or to buy tickets, call 738.4321. Services at 738.4321 or Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling at 408.566.1800.