BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — On Thursday, Feb. 10, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra hosted its 7th annual Mac & Cheese Fest fundraiser at the Holiday Inn in downtown Binghamton.

Hundreds of guests came hungry to this all-you-can-eat Mac & Cheese event, featuring more than 15 restaurants and beer samples. Like last year and due to COVID-19, this year’s event also included a take-out option for customers.

Chefs from many famous restaurants in the Binghamton area competed for the best Mac & Cheese while host Chelsea Cheddar, Mayor of Mac & Cheese, led the event with an announcement.

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra hosts this fundraiser every year and continues to attract a large crowd of food lovers. Chelsea Cheddar said: “It was a really big sold out event, we actually had to tone down the Covid numbers a bit. But it’s been seven years in a row – it’s been so popular even last year when we had to make it only as a take-out option. We had 750 people in attendance, about the same today, and we’re so happy to have the support of the community.

Restaurants and associations such as Social on State, Mooney’s, SUNY Broome, Kampai and McKinley were in attendance, and many had different styles and took on the cheese dish.

Options such as teriyaki miso, barbecue pork tenderloin, vegan buffalo chicken, and even Thanksgiving mac and cheese were available.

Judges and celebrity diners have finally decided which restaurant deserves the title of best macaroni and cheese of 2022, as well as other culinary awards. The overall judge’s choice winner was Kampai and their Miso Teriyaki Mac and Cheese.

The annual mac and cheese festival continues to be delicious, and many are already looking forward to next year.

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