Festival features over 20 mac and cheeses

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“I think the biggest thing is not only is our studentrun organization able to stay in the on-campus community and promote cheese,” Capria said. “But we’re also bringing it off campus and supporting the cheese-loving community. That’s what we’re all about”

Capria and his fellow judges selected The Fat Cowboys Fireside BBQ as the New to the Fest winner — an award that acknowledges the most impressive restaurant to have been at the festival within the past two years. Having won Best of the Fest the previous year as well, the restaurant did not disappoint with its briskettopped crackeroni. Using a farfalle pasta covered in a salivating, rich sauce accompanied by brisket and topped with a white cheddar Cheez-It, the sheer variety gave the dish a unique and unpredictable tasting experience.

The biggest award of the night, Judge’s Choice, went to Big Zues Barbecue, which offered a six-cheese macaroni and brisket — with a bacon ranch sauce mixed in as well. The bacon ranch was the essential ingredient that boosted the dish’s flavor without overpowering all of the other ingredients.

Another stand-out dish was McCoy’s Chophouse’s lobster mac and cheese, which included fresh Maine lobster, cajun seasoned cavatappi pasta, multiple different kinds of cheese such as smoked gruyere and gouda, and a variety of cheddar cheeses topped with a parmesan Ritz cracker. The creator of this satisfying and luscious dish was Joshua Crane, 32, an executive chef at McCoy’s Chophouse. Crane said he couldn’t pick just one cheese, so he went with 11 of his favorites.

Crane’s main motivation for being at the festival wasn’t for any awards, surprisingly, but to spend time with family.

“For the first time in my life I got to bring my kids to the competition, and they were dishing out their plates like they were cooks themselves,” Crane said. “I already feel like a winner. I don’t care if I win or not.”

People don’t only come to the festival for cheesy offerings — they also come to see the mayor of macaroni, Chelsea Cheddar. This is the third year that Erika Dentinger, the director of operations at the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, is playing the character. Cheddar walks around, talks to patrons and makes important announcements — including the award winners.

Dentinger was pleased with how Mac & Cheese Fest turned out this year.

“I think it’s been a hoot and a half,” Dentinger said. “It’s been a great time. We got a lot of restaurants here, and a lot of happy people — formally hungry people — so pretty solid.”

Another year of Mac & Cheese Fest has passed, reminding people that if they’re feeling bleu, a warm bowl of cheese-filled goodness is always the best remedy.