Pennsauken, NJ…If you think macaroni and cheese only comes from a box, some local South Jersey chefs have a surprise for you.

As part of their upcoming January promotion “Homestyle Classics” in which they showcase their restaurant’s version of favorite family dishes, the chefs will kick off with a grand Macaroni and Cheese contest to vie for the best and creamiest.

The “Mighty Mac” contest takes place Monday, January 18 at 6:30pm at Tortilla Press Cantina, located at 7716 Maple Avenue, Pennsauken, NJ. The cost is $10.00/adult and $4.00/child for children under 12. The price includes all the mac and cheese you can eat. “We have so many chefs jumping on the bandwagon to be part of this, that the public is going to get some very creative versions of Mac and cheese,” says Tortilla Press Cantina owner Chef Mark Smith. Smith has more than a dozen restaurants signed up and more asking to be included. “At some point we’ll have a cut off just for space considerations,” he explains. “But we want to keep it open for as long as we can. The public deserves to see what independent restaurants can do to make even mac and cheese a creative meal.”

Judges will be available from the Food Bank of SJ, which is a charitable recipient of the event. But the dining public will also be asked to give their opinion. “We’ll have judge’s picks and popular picks,” says Smith. “Among the categories are Best all around, Most like Mom’s and Most creative.”

“People forget how healthy good mac and cheese can be,” explains Chef Jim Malaby of blueplate in Mullica Hill. “Forget the boxed version…we’re talking real milk and real cheese. The nutritional value is incredible and it’s very, very economical.” Each participating restaurant will do their own special version of mac and cheese, adding regional touches that create, in Chef Malaby’s words, “a spectacular panorama of tastes for this very simple homestyle classic.” Macaroni and cheese from Greek, Indian, American, French, Mexican and Italian restaurants will be available.

The chefs will use the event to highlight how to feed families with meals that are high in nutrition and low on cost, making their alliance with the Food Bank of South Jersey an important one. “We’re all independent restaurants ourselves,” explains Chef Joe Palombo of Mirabella Café “and we know what it means to struggle. If we can give back to the community through fundraising and education, it’s our responsibility and privilege to do so.”

If you are interested in attending this event please contact Tortilla Press Cantina at 856-356-2050.

Click on flyer to see complete list of participating restaurants. Click on each restaurant to visit their website.

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For menu details call the restaurant or check their website:

The Tortilla Press
701-703 Haddon Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108
856-869-3345
www.thetortillapress.com
Chef Mark Smith

Tortilla Press Cantina
716 Maple Avenue
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
856-356-2050
www.tortillapresscantina.com
Chef Mark Smith

Blackbird Dining Establishment
619 Collings Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08107
856-854-3444
www.blackbirdnj.com
Chef Alex Capasso

blueplate restaurant
47 South Main Street
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
856-478-2112
www.blueplatenj.com
Chef James Malaby

Mirabella Café
210 Barclay Farms Shopping Center
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
856-354-1888
www.mirabellacafe.com
Chef Joe Palombo

Andreotti’s Viennese Café
1442 Rte 70 East
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
856-795-2233
www.andreottis.com
Chef Richard Marsh