New Hampshire dairy farmers will host New Hampshire’s third annual Macaroni & Cheese Bake-Off Jan. 19 at the Courtyard Marriott in Concord. Doors open to the public at 2 p.m.
Cabot has offered free cheese to any contestant or restaurant registering a dish early. To take advantage of this offer, you must enter your dish by Jan. 4. More than half of New Hampshire’s working dairy farms send milk to Cabot.
Contestants can enter one of four categories: best traditional, most creative exotic, best restaurant/café or best New Hampshire made.
Contestants entering the New Hampshire Made category must use 100 percent New Hampshire-made milk and cheese in their dish.
The winner of the “New Hampshire Made” category will have his or her recipe prepared by Master Chef Jeffrey Paige and featured on the menu of Cotton Restaurant in Manchester.
Entries will be judged on texture, taste and overall cheesiness. Each category will have first, second and third place prizes. The winner of each category will move on for their chance to be crowned the “2013 Grand Champion of Macaroni and Cheese.”
The grand champion will receive a customized cutting board and a Henckels Pro, 6-piece knife block set. The knife set, valued at $299, is donated by Things Are Cooking in Concord.
For those who would like to taste and not bake, tickets will be sold at the door for $10. Children 10 and under are free.
The public can cast their vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Score cards will be handed out for tasters to vote on their favorite recipes throughout the evening.
In addition to all the macaroni and cheese you can eat, there will be raffles with great prizes. Ski tickets, portable DVD player, New Hampshire-made items, a stay at the Inns at Mills Falls, and many more exciting items.
For those entering the competition, register early. Cabot’s offer of free cheese expires Jan. 4. All other entries must be received by Jan. 14.
For rules and registration information, visit nhdairypromo.org.
