Community members gathered for the 11th Annual Mac & Cheese Fest last Thursday, held by the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Downtown Binghamton. The annual fundraiser offers the opportunity to sample both creative and traditional mac and cheese from local restaurants and organizations.

Tables were set in a circular formation with an inner and an outer ring, allowing a clear path for guests to peruse the event space. A total of 19 restaurants and businesses participated in the event, many of which added their signature twist to the dishes to align with their business’s central cuisine.

A panel of celebrity judges, consisting mostly of community leaders, oversaw the voting for the fest’s awards, which was done through a Google Form accessible to guests. The categories included Best of the Fest, Best Non-Traditional Mac, Best Classic Mac, Judges’ Choice and New to the Fest.

“The Mac & Cheese Fest is the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s biggest annual fundraiser,” Julia Grella O’Connell, the director of education and community engagement at the Binghamton Philharmonic, wrote in an email. “It’s a wildly popular event and helps to fund the Philharmonic’s educational initiatives, including ensuring that all children ages 17 and under can attend our concerts for free.”

Through each business’s creativity, whether in flavor profile and texture of the mac and cheese or the blend between various cuisines, the traditionally American dish revealed the heart of each local business. Some of the participating restaurants and businesses included Downtown by Chef Jay Pisculli, Blazin’ Saddles and Gifted Elegance Catering and Events.

Mac and cheese samples varied greatly, with many restaurants opting for a bold take on the classic meal.

Kampai Japanese Steakhouse offered a mozzarella and cheddar mac topped with yakiniku, carrots, scallions and a sweet-and-spicy sauce. Similarly, Caribbean Patty World & Caribbean Bar & Grill showcased its signature jerk mac and cheese, offering a sweet, tangy version of the dish.

“Participating in a major community event is always a meaningful experience for us,” a spokesperson for the Caribbean Patty World & Caribbean Bar & Grill wrote in an email. “We are deeply committed to staying involved and giving back throughout the year, whether through catering, sponsorships, or community partnerships. In addition to participating in events like the HCA Wine Tasting and gatherings at the Roberson Museum, we also host an annual Thanksgiving food giveaway to support families in need. Being part of these events allows us not only to share our food, but to strengthen relationships, support local initiatives, and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.”

On the more classic side, Alexander’s Cafe served a cheddar, gouda and provolone mac and cheese topped with crunchy crackers, adding a pleasantly contrasting texture to the creamy mac.

After almost an hour and a half of tastings and mingling, the winners of this year’s awards were announced. Little Venice received New to the Fest, Caribbean Patty World & Caribbean Bar & Grill won Judge’s Choice and The Grove took home Best of the Fest, Best Traditional and Best Non-Traditional Mac.

“We decided to take a risk this year and go with a lobster mac and cheese,” Hamza Khan, the owner of The Grove, wrote in an email. “We introduced our Smoked Gouda Miso Butter Lobster Mac, which layered smoked gouda with miso butter lobster, charred jalapeño, Thai basil, and a crispy onion crunch. It was bold but still balanced.”

“I think what won us the awards was not just the mac itself, but the support from the people who showed up for us,” he continued. “We received a lot of positive feedback throughout the event, and after guests tried it, we encouraged them to vote if they enjoyed it. We are truly humbled by the outcome. Winning all three categories was unexpected, and we’re incredibly grateful for the love and support from the community.”

In the spirit of the event, yellow Mac & Cheese Fest baseball caps were also available for purchase, along with a basket raffle entry, which was stationed toward the entrance of the event space.