North Mac and Cheese Cook-off is returning for a Fall Edition set for noon on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, in the Virden City Square, during the Main Street Mingle market and festivities. The cook-off benefits the North Mac High School and this time we will be using the funds raised to plant trees at the High School. There are 10 spots available for folks who want to enter their family's macaroni and cheese recipe to compete for bragging rights and a sweet new trophy. There are also 50 spots available to those who would rather be the tasters and judges, getting to sample a 3-4 ounce portions and voting on each of the mac and cheese recipe entries. The tasting / judging starts at noon on Saturday 10/25/25. The 10 macaroni and cheese entries need to arrive no later than 11:30 to get set up. Each contestant needs to register here in advance and bring 8 quarts of their macaroni and cheese recipe to be able to provide a 3-4 ounce sample serving to the 50 potential tasters. It is recommended to get this pan from Walmart; "Mainstays 16.63" x 11.88" 9qt Take-Out Aluminum All-Purpose Baking Pan with Lid" and we can put a sterno flame under your pan to keep it warm. We will provide the cups to fill with your mac n cheese samples for the tasters. If you have an alternative serving dish or warmer that you'd rather use, you may bring that as long as you provide enough for all of the potential tasters which is 50 or 8 quarts of mac and cheese. Our tent is supposed to be placed near outlets so we should be able to plug in electric warmers. Contestants and tasters need to both register in advance here at this site. Proceeds go to planting trees at North Mac High School. Good luck and ENJOY! email: benlowder@hotmail.com with any questions.
