Mac ‘N’ Cheese Throwdown declares winners, raises money for W.A.G.S. 4 Kids
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Competition was tight at the 2023 Mac ‘N’ Cheese Throwdown in Cleveland yesterday. Winners were chosen in three categories from among 17 participating area restaurants.
Classic Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Judges picks
- Ninja City, Cleveland
- Luxe Kitchen & Lounge, Cleveland
- Ridgewood Kitchen & Spirits, Concord Township
Modern Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Judges picks
- Pink Piggy BBQ, Macedonia
- The Burnham Restaurant, Cleveland
- Twisted Taino Restaurant, Parma
People’s Choice Mac ‘n’ Cheese
- Luxe Kitchen & Lounge, Cleveland
- Ridgewood Kitchen & Spirits, Concord Township
- Tavern of Little Italy, Cleveland
The “Classic” category challenged chefs to create classic, vegetarian-friendly versions. Meanwhile “Modern Mac” had no rules. Entries varied in noodle shape and cheese used. The modern category included versions with bacon, kimchi, brisket, chorizo and Fritos, mushrooms, peppers and so much more.
The biggest winner of the three-hour event is Working Animals Giving Service for Kids (W.A.G.S. 4 Kids), a nonprofit organization that trains and provides mobility and autism service dogs to empower children with special needs throughout 35 counties of northeast and central Ohio. Inmates train the service dogs via the ODRC Accredited Apprenticeship.
The organization is still adding up the money raised for the charity and expects high five figures.
You can still donate at www.WAGS4Kids.org/donate.
Kim Woodworth, Lakewood, got into the spirit with a mac ‘n’ cheese-inspired outfit. (Paris Wolfe)
Some attendees really got cheesy. Dressed head-to-toe in mac ‘n’ cheese attire – skirt, shirt, pin, socks, handbag and orange lipstick — Kim Woodworth of Lakewood was an enthusiastic first-timer. She is a theatre and film actress, costumer and stage manager in Northeast Ohio. She purchased most of her outfit from artists on Etsy.
“I thought the event was great fun,” she said. It was lovely to sample mac ‘n’ cheese from so many restaurants, many of which I’ve never tried….
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