MAC & CHEESE!

Now, here’s something that makes sense. For all of its tapas and martinis, Binghamton is – let’s be real – a gritty American town. We make a damn good burger. We have spiedies. And every restaurant in town claims that their best mac and cheese is the best. But what’s remarkable is that, no matter where you’re eating in Binghamton, you may well be convinced that you are having the best mac and cheese in town. And it’s with good reason: the region’s rich Italian heritage melded with the college scene and bar culture: what more appropriate food could arise from this perfect storm? Now, finally, we may learn whose mac and cheese reigns supreme.

The first ever Mac & Cheese Fest will take place on April 28th at the Holiday Inn, 2-8 Hawley Street in Binghamton. In addition to beer being offered by six regional breweries, 35 restaurants will be competing for five crowning titles, including Kid’s Choice and Out of the Blue Box. And several of these restaurants don’t even normally make mac & cheese (like Kampai Japanese Steak House), though there will be the classics (Galaxy and Lost Dog, to name a couple favorites), and some unexpected participants (Down to Earth Whole Foods). This event is a fundraiser for the Binghamton Philharmonic, and we would give you ticketing info, except… it’s sold out (not surprisingly; it sounds amazing). So let the above be a primer for those who were savvy enough to snag tickets, and for the rest of us poor saps, now we know what we’re missing. To learn more, visit macfest2016.com. I’ll see you at the second annual!