CityBeat's Mac & Cheese Throwdown at The Phoenix 6-9 p.m. Nov. 11 Do you want to hear a macaroni joke? Nevermind, it’s too cheesy. What’s no joke is the competition to see who can make the best mac and cheese in the city at CityBeat’s Mac & Cheese Throwdown at The Phoenix. This year, you can expect to sample a dozen different participants’ contribution to what’s probably the most important contest of the year: Who makes the best cheesy mac? Let’s find out together at this big party with music, drinks and more noodles than anyone should eat in one day. Nov. 11. 6-9 p.m. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. Photo: Hailey Bollinger

You could be this cute eating mac and cheese, too! Photo: Hailey Bollinger

CityBeat‘s second-annual Mac & Cheese Throwdown returns to the Queen City this November. 

The cheesiest event of the year will take place at downtown’s The Phoenix from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. Local chefs will go head-to-head in a melty, cheesy smackdown competition pitting mac and cheese dish against mac and cheese dish to see whose creation reigns supreme.

The event will host over 15 local mac and cheese slingin’ restaurants including favorites like Eli’s BBQ, Fiery Hen, Keystone’s Mac Shack, MamaBear’s Mac (the winner of 2018’s throwdown), Lucius Q and Court Street Lobster Bar. 

Expect fun and flavorful creations like brisket mac and cheese, lobster mac and cheese, white truffle mac and cheese and more. 

Tickets cost $35 for general admission, which includes endless samples, drink tickets, live music and your chance to vote for the best mac. If you’re looking for kick things up a notch, opt for the VIP ticket, which costs $50 and includes general admission perks, plus early entry (11:15 a.m.), a private bar, exclusive VIP vendors, additional drink ticket and some swag. 

Mac & Cheese Throwdown, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Nov. 2. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown.

This article appears in Oct 16-29, 2019.

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