WINDSOR, VT – The 2nd Annual Vermont Mac & Cheese Challenge saw a huge turnout at Artisan's Park in Windsor on Sunday, September 14th, 2014. This year's event hosted 2,400 mac & cheese devotees, over double the attendance of last year. Hosted by Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, twenty-one local restaurants and chefs competed for the title of Best Mac & Cheese, showcasing their gourmet recipes that had to contain at least one of Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company's award-winning cheeses. Many participants also used Castleton Crackers for a savory topping in their recipe.
Upon entering, attendees were given a list of competitors, a pencil and a spork to help determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the People's Choice category. Children 12 and under were given their own ballot to vote for the best Kid's Choice. A panel of 4 official Judges including Vermont Cheese Council Executive Director Tom Bivens, Cheese Connoisseur Associate Publisher Jane Johnson, Black River Produce Dairy Buyer Jay Kerner and Seacrest Sales Manager Shawn Hockert were also tasked to choose their favorite Mac & Cheese recipes for the Judges 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes.
Once the hard decisions had been made and their ballots had been cast, attendees were able to enjoy Harpoon beer on tap, live music and a calf and cow petting area.
PINE Restaurant at Hanover Inn (Hanover, NH) won the Judges 1st Place Award with their Orechiette with Spicy Aioli. According to Chef Justin Dain, "PINE and The Hanover Inn is always excited to be involved in community driven events. Being a part of the mac & cheese competition for the past two years has been great to get the chefs, restaurants and foodies together for a great cause. It was remarkable to see over 2000 attendees at the event and everyone had an amazing time. It was awesome to win the Judges vote at this year's competition and I look forward to next years event!"
Judges Choice Winners – 1st – PINE Restaurant at Hanover Inn (Hanover, NH) 2nd – (tie) Big Fatty's BBQ (WRJ, VT) & Beard'n'Lady Catering 3rd – Jackson House Inn, Woodstock, VT
People's Choice Winners – 1st – Big Fatty's BBQ -(WRJ, VT) 2nd – PINE Restaurant at Hanover Inn (Hanover, NH) 3rd – Ovations at Killington (Killington, VT)
Kid's Choice Award – The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille (New London, NH)
Congratulations go out to all the winners and to all the competitors who helped make the Vermont Mac & Cheese Challenge such a delicious and successful event. Although organizers doubled the tent space in anticipation of a larger crowd this year, additional expansion is already being planned for next year. All proceeds will benefit Sustainable Woodstock and The Vermont Food Bank.
Source: Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co.
