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player ready...The Mac & Cheese Fest kicks off the long season of comfort food tomorrow at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum from noon to 3 p.m. For $50 (plus Ticketmaster fees, around $10), carbo-loaders and cheese heads can sample from a selection of approximately 50 variations of the childhood staple from Chicago-area restaurants, though you’re not likely to find these versions on kids’ menus. (Think smoked potatoes and chive cheddar mac topped with bacon powder from Real Comfort American Kitchen, deca Bar + Grill’s Korean bulgogi beef mac and cheese with kimchi and mac and beer cheese with stout-braised short rib from Black Rock Pub & Kitchen.) Still, kids are welcome if they’re 10 or older (and presumably have huge appetites). Each restaurant will be competing for “The Golden Noodle” voted upon by attendees.
Ticket price includes five drink tickets for beer, wine and spirits. Soft drinks and water will also be available.
“Who doesn’t love mac and cheese?” says Melinda Joseph, the event organizer and co-founder of Raymi Productions (the company behind the event). “My business partner Cece Gonzales was born and raised in Peru and never heard of mac and cheese until she came here to Chicago 13 years (ago) and tried it … she became obsessed and always orders it everywhere we go.”
Tickets to the fest are available through Ticketmaster. If still available tomorrow, will be sold at the door.