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March 5 //

12p - 3:30p // The Madison//

Mac N Cheese // Booze// Other Stuff

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  • Did Someone Say Mac 'n' Cheese?

    The Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown is back! We're happy to announce that the full-scale event this is BACK this spring at The Madison, set for March 5, 2023

     

    As per usual, our signature local chefs will showcase their mac-tastic bites along with over 20 craft beers, spirits and wines.

     

    Bringing back perennial favorites: The Cleveland Clinic, Gourmet Guy Cafe, Hatfield's Goode Grub, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar, SOL, and more. Three local celebrity judges and YOU will decide who wins the the ultimate title in comfort food of Cleveland’s “Best Mac 'n' Cheese” at The Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown.

     

    Presented by FirstEnergy & SMART Local 33, the Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown celebrates the rise of the Cleveland food scene, highlighting numerous Cleveland food trucks. The Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown also is a fundraiser for W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, a local 501(c)(3) Non-Profit.

  • 7th Annual Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown

    Saturday, April 9, 2022

    12:00PM - 3:30PM

    The Madison

    4601 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103 ● Map It

     

    MAC 'N' CHEESE, 'N' MORE

     

    Cleveland's finest Restaurants & Food Trucks will be serving up delicious mac and cheese specials and MORE all day long. Listen to live acoustic entertainment at the Front St Social Stage, vote for your favorite mac dishes, and share your experiences on social to win prizes.

    ●●●

    TOP RESTAURANTS & FOOD TRUCKS COMPETE. YOU DECIDE WHO WINS.

    TEXT TO VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE MAC 'N CHEESE!

     

    Participating chefs will go head-to-head in two categories: “Classic Mac” and “Modern Mac” with one goal in mind – to be named the “Best Mac in Cleveland” by a panel of celebrity judges and a people’s choice vote by text.

    ●●●

    SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

    ENJOY TASTY MAC, ALL WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES & A GREAT CAUSE

    ●●●

    VIP $50/person. (All ages)

    General Admission $35/person. (All ages)

    Early Bird (General) $30/person. (All ages)

     

    Purchase your tickets!

    Tickets!

    Tickets On Sale Now!

    Get 'em before we sell out! Want to sample all the deliciousness & cast your vote on the best of the bunch?

    Click Here

    Is Your Mouth Watering Yet?

    Check Out The Competition

    Read More

    Calling All Volunteers!

    Help!

    Thank you for your interest in volunteering for The Mac 'N Cheese Throwdown! Volunteers are truly the backbone of any event and your support is greatly appreciated.

    Read More

    Thanks to all of you - W.A.G.S. 4 Kids has raised over $360,000 since 2017 towards our service dog training program - placing mobility service and autism spectrum service dogs exclusively with kids throughout Northeast and Central Ohio!

    For more information contact

    Sera Nelson
    Executive Director

    Email: sera@wags4kids.com 
    Phone: 216-586-5853 x2

  • Mac-Tastic Entertainment

    Live Music and Mac -

    A Winning Combination!

    Entertainment sponsored by Front St Social

     

    Live, acoustic entertainment will be provided during the Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown! Local Cleveland musicians will be performing on the Front St Social stage for all to enjoy, including:

     

    Ziggy D of C-Level

    Sunset Harmony

    Furious George Hartwig

    Michael McFarland

     

     

  •  

    Map & Menus

    COMING SOON...
  • Judges

    Meet Our Celebrity Judges

    Judge #1

    Monica Robins

    WKYC, Health Correspondent

    Monica Robins is the Senior Health Correspondent at wkyc studios in Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in areas of health and medicine news. Monica is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and enjoys weight lifting, running and riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle. She's also the lead singer for two bands including, the classic rock band, Monica Robins and the Whiskey Kings, and the country band, The Ninja Cowboys. Find her on all major social media platforms at @monicarobinswkyc

    Judge #2

    Emanuel Wallace

    Photojournalist,

    Cleveland Scene Magazine

    Emanuel Wallace is a photographer and journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. He has been the staff photographer for Cleveland Scene magazine since 2014. In the past, he has contributed to Cleveland.com, Destination Cleveland and the Call & Post, among other outlets. In his spare time, Emanuel likes to experiment with making various cocktails and brewing his own beer. Find him on Twitter & Instagram at @mannywallace.

    Judge #1

    Michael Januska

    Owner

    Old Brooklyn Cheese Company

    Michael's background has been in the restaurant industry for the past 27 years. He graduated culinary school in Florida. Worked in a few popular restaurants in Cleveland for a few years, before heading to Europe. Working as an Executive Chef in London for 16 years gave him the opportunities to experience new and traditional culinary adventures.

     

    His love and appreciation of cheeses came from spending time at Neals Yard Dairy, in Covent Garden, London. Many of his shift breaks were spent in the small original shop. " the first time I walked into NYD, my senses went into overload. The smell of all of the cheeses sitting out. I will never forget the aroma. Heaven."

     

    From that day forward, Michael began a journey to discover the 'old world' ways of making food. Every holiday would become a hands on education. Pressing olives to make olive oil in Baena, Spain. Pulling the heavy curds from the copper vats to make Parmigiano reggiano. Making chorizo sausages at a friends family farm. Begging every cheese shop in Paris to let me into their aging cellars. Walking through the fields of wandering Iberico pigs and tasting the acorns that they feed on.

     

    People's Choice Judge

    YOU!

     
     
    Text to Vote! It's as easy as 1-2-3!
     
    1. Text MAC to 66866.
    2. Click the survey link to vote for your choice for Best Mac!  
    3.  Click Submit!
    Voting opens when doors open and closes promptly at 3:00pm
  • Vote for People's Choice!

    Text to Vote! It's as easy as 1-2-3!

    1

    Text

    Text MAC to a 66866

    2

    Click

    Click the survey link to vote for your choice for Best Mac!

    3

    Vote

    Choose your favorite and click "Submit"!

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