The Spanish say queso.
The French say fromage.
I say cheese and more of it, please!
This special feature follows a cheese-driven girl on her journey to try all of the sweet, creamy, sharp, stinky and spicy cheeses the world is lucky to devour. I’m the friend who is constantly tagged in those cheese memes on Facebook about drowning in grated cheese when the waiter/waitress asks you to “say when.” In queso emergency, just say cheese!
Have you ever come across the glorious photo on the Internet saying, “Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes” with various different types of mac n’ cheese behind the text? If not, you’re missing out! Every bit of truth lies in that image. For this very special edition of Say Cheese, I attended the Inaugural Mac N’ Cheese Cook-Off at the Monday Market. It was held in the YMCA parking lot for about four hours, and participants were able to taste test about eight different varieties of the cheesy goodness. To say the least, I was in heaven.
My first mac experience at the event was from the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck featuring none other than a Maine Lobster Mac N’ Cheese. The cheesy dish was tasty and was filled with an abundance of lobster that would make any seafood-lover pleased.
Moving on, I was able to taste the mouthwatering mac from Twisted Catering, which served up two different options: duck confit or bacon and scallions. They sold out of the duck confit early, so I gladly accepted the bacon and scallions variety. Who doesn’t love a good bacon with cheese-smothered pasta?! Rather than serving up a sample cup like the others, Twisted Catering had served up a decent-sized portion that left me wanting more. The bacon and scallions added to the overall flavor and contributed texture and a pleasant crunch. It was topped with a diablo sauce, which wasn’t as hot as you might’ve expected it to be, but this macaroni and cheese was delicious!
Another contest entry worth mentioning is the vegan mac n’ cheese from Ohm Woke. Although I am an avid meat lover, I dabble in the vegan-friendly foods and am open to trying a lot. Ohm Woke had quite the personality, and the mac n’ cheese held its own. The mac featured jackfruit, which resembles pork when it’s cooked (both by looks and taste) and included fake bacon bits and a dash of smoked paprika on top. When I say this was the most flavor I’ve ever experienced in a mac n’ cheese, I am not exaggerating. It was just so darn good! I would’ve gladly ordered a full bowl of this vegan mac.
Cap’s Kitchen Creations was a newcomer and took the competition by storm by creating a mac n’ cheese featuring smoked gouda. As soon as I discovered smoked gouda was a part of this mac, my mouth began watering. It’s a cheese most people aren’t used to tasting in this dish, but boy, should it become a staple.
Other participants included Chicken Salad Chick, Alfajor Café, The Local Chef, and Kefta: Moroccan Street Food. Early bird tickets were only $6 and allowed individuals to sample every chef’s creations. Tickets were $10 at the event. Portions of the proceeds from the event will go to the Lake Nona YMCA scholarship fund.
In the end, participants turned in their votes for the best overall and for the most unique twist on a mac n’ cheese dish. The winners were Cap’s Kitchen Creations for best overall and Ohm Woke for the most unique twist. Congratulations to both wonderfully delicious mac n’ cheese dishes and thank you to all of the chefs who participated and allowed me to enter the golden and cheesy gates of what I consider to be heaven. It was truly worth every bite.
And no, I’m not all cheesed out yet. I could actually go for some mac n’ cheese right about now. When in doubt, just remember: You’re the mac to my cheese!
Is this article too cheesy? DEFINITELY. Send me your favorite cheese meme or joke to nicole@nonahoodnews.com and let me know your thoughts on your favorite cheese-filled meals! Is anybody else hungry all of a sudden?
