Last week, I entered my baked macaroni and cheese recipe here for a chance to compete against sixteen others next month on the streets of San Francisco as part of a food wars challenge. Bay Area locals come, eat and vote on what they think is the very best macaroni and cheese, and the winner goes home with cash and restaurant gift certificates.
I really wasn’t actually expecting to get chosen and did it sort of as a joke.
I’m socially awkward, remember?
Well, guess who’s making mac & cheese for two hundred next month?
I’m gonna need a lot of cheese.
Oh boy.
mary (sisters running the kitchen)
January 18, 2011 at 12:22 pmwow! congratulations! that’s awesome news. have fun and i wish you luck!! I only wish I got to eat it!
Stephanie
January 18, 2011 at 12:22 pmHoly cheese! Congrats Jenna! Wish I was there to chow on the mac and cheese.
Stephanie Rose
January 18, 2011 at 12:24 pmHoly cheese! Congrats Jenna! Wish I could be there to chow on the mac and cheese.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing
January 18, 2011 at 12:24 pmWow, congrats girl! They won’t taste anything better 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
January 18, 2011 at 12:25 pmaaah!! Congratulations!!! That is so exciting!! And I’m sure that you will do just fine. Your recipes are pretty much kick butt and I take it from this blog that you have a good sense of humor. You’ve got nothing to worry about 🙂
Kelly
January 18, 2011 at 12:25 pmFun!! You will be great!
Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes
January 18, 2011 at 12:26 pmSo fun!! You’ll do great 🙂
Evan Thomas
January 18, 2011 at 12:27 pmCongratulations! That’s awesome. Best of luck!
Erin (Travel Eat Repeat)
January 18, 2011 at 12:28 pmNo one can resist baked cheesy goodness. It takes you back to childhood with a pleasantly full belly of yum.
Amanda
January 18, 2011 at 12:29 pmWow! Congrats, that is s fun! Cooking for a crowd has got to be a challenge, I’m sure you’ll rock it. 🙂
Amber's Notebook
January 18, 2011 at 12:29 pmI think my husband would love me forever if I took him to this! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Amber’s Notebook
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 6:02 pmyou guys should come!! I would love that!
Amber's Notebook
January 19, 2011 at 12:15 pmIf I can get tickets I will! Casey loves mac and cheese like no else!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
January 18, 2011 at 12:30 pmWow congrats Jenna! That’s awesome!
Darcy @ She Sings at the Table
January 18, 2011 at 12:31 pmAwesome! Lucky, lucky locals that get to sample and vote….. Good luck!
Stephanie
January 18, 2011 at 12:33 pmCongratulations!!! I’d love to have judged that contest!
dana @ my little celebration
January 18, 2011 at 12:35 pmOh ya, I hate it when I enter cooking contests and win without putting much thought or effort into it too…it’s the worst.
: ) Just kidding. Congrats, and good luck with all that cheese!
Cara
January 18, 2011 at 12:36 pmWow, congrats! I have added this mac n cheese to my list to try. I am always trying to find the ultimate mac n cheese. Mmmmmm.
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
January 18, 2011 at 12:36 pmCongratulations! That’s so awesome! You’ll do great!
P.S. I’m going to have that Return of the Mac song in my head the rest of the afternoon. I should probably look up the words or I’ll just keep humming “return of the mac” over and over. Please tell me I’m not alone in this
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 6:01 pmbahaha that’s awesome.
Marie @ Quarterlife Quandary
January 18, 2011 at 12:37 pmyay- that’s so exciting. I’m pretty sure that event sounds like my version of heaven. A bunch of macaroni and cheese? How can you even judge them and pick a winner? I’d love them all equally. YUM!
Bree
January 18, 2011 at 12:37 pmTotally awesome Jenna. Congrats!
megan @ whatmegansmaking
January 18, 2011 at 12:38 pmwow that’s awesome! can’t wait to read about it 🙂 Isn’t january mac and cheese month or something? 🙂
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
January 18, 2011 at 12:38 pmI don’t know whether to say Congrats! or Good Luck! I think I’ll stick with both.
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations
January 18, 2011 at 12:39 pmHow exciting!! I’m sure it will be great fun.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
January 18, 2011 at 12:43 pmOh em gee… I wish I was there to eat massive amounts of it.
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 6:01 pmme too! you and mr. how sweet should take a vacay…I’ll give him some chicken!
Ida
January 18, 2011 at 12:43 pmHow fun! i’ve been eyeing the sf food wars for a while, but they always sell out so fast. I’m sure you’ll do great.
Stephanie @ Living and Loving
January 18, 2011 at 12:44 pmCONGRATS!!!!! I wish I could be there to taste it!
Ellie
January 18, 2011 at 12:46 pmOh- You can do it! I’m with you on being socially awkward. I have to give myself pep talks to do things like ask people over for dinner (I love to cook). If you need a pep talk let me know- I’ve gotten good at them
Laura
January 18, 2011 at 2:09 pmI do this, too! haha Sometimes I even make a little list of bullet points to “coach myself” if I get nervous (I also used to do this when I’d call boys I liked in high school… and in my early 20s dating days if we’re being honest here). 🙂
Jess@atasteofconfidence
January 18, 2011 at 12:48 pmthat’s awesome, we’re rooting for you!
Alina @ Duty Free Foodie
January 18, 2011 at 12:49 pmCongratulations – that sounds like such a good time! Reason #347 I have to go to San Francisco one day – the city of mac & cheese competitions? How awesome is that!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 6:00 pmhahaha yeah, who knew san francisco was so mac & cheese friendly!
Lisa
January 18, 2011 at 12:50 pmoooh congrats!!! Now if only I could be a taste tester for said comepetition 🙂
Jenna
January 18, 2011 at 12:50 pmHow fun! Congrats! Wish I could be one of the judges for this! Yum!
mary (what's cookin' with mary)
January 18, 2011 at 12:50 pmSO freakin cool Jenna!!! 😀 I have entered in a few cooking competitions, but have never made it… And I was secretly hoping *not* to… I am SO shy and socially awkward!
Good luck w. your mac ‘n cheese !!
I so wish I lived up in the bay… what a FUN event.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef
January 18, 2011 at 12:54 pmwow, congrats! that’s pretty sweet! 🙂
Blog is the New Black
January 18, 2011 at 12:55 pmCONGRATS!
Baking 'n' Books
January 18, 2011 at 1:03 pmCongrats! I can’t imagine cooking for 4 let along 200!
Baking 'n' Books
January 18, 2011 at 2:59 pmOh and is SF far from where you live? Sounds intense!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:57 pmnope! Only an hour!
Jessica
January 18, 2011 at 1:04 pmCongratulations! That is stupendous!
Think about how awesome it will be to work with all that cheese! 🙂
Dani @ Body By Nature
January 18, 2011 at 1:12 pmAmazing, way to go!
Shannon @ Freshman Yr of Life
January 18, 2011 at 1:14 pmAh that’s awesome! Can I come?
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
January 18, 2011 at 1:20 pmCongratulations!! That’s awesome
Angelea
January 18, 2011 at 1:29 pmRock on, Cheesy McCheese!!! How fabulous. It’s making this allergic to dairy girl’s mouth drool. I may have to suffer a stomachache and whip this recipe up! Can’t wait to follow your adventure to the competition. It’s gonna be FUN!
Chicago Cuisine Critique
January 18, 2011 at 1:31 pmCongrats! That’s awesome. I wish I was one of the taste testers. Yum!
Current Instincts
January 18, 2011 at 1:31 pmCongratulations! I want to go to this cheesy festival so bad!
Natalia - a side of simple
January 18, 2011 at 1:32 pmGahh hahaha this is awesome. Reason number 2349025709 why I need to go to Cali and (maybe?) forget about senior year. Well, actually I should really graduate. But some mac n’cheese will sure bring me some comfort with this New England winter!
Amanda (Eating Up)
January 18, 2011 at 1:34 pmCongrats! That’s so fun!
Christine (The Raw Project)
January 18, 2011 at 1:36 pmHow exciting on the food wars, congrats! I can’t wait to hear more on it.
Jess (Sweet Potato)
January 18, 2011 at 1:41 pmCongrats! Looks like there is blue cheese in your mac n cheese. YUM! I love blue cheese!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
January 18, 2011 at 1:42 pmAhhhh congrats!!!!
britt
January 18, 2011 at 1:57 pmexciting! congrats!! i made the mac n cheese for my b*day dinner last week and it was amazing. the blue cheese definitely gives it a kick.
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:59 pmyay! I hope it was birthday worthy 🙂
Moni'sMeals
January 18, 2011 at 1:58 pmCongrats! Looks amazing.
Rochel
January 18, 2011 at 1:59 pmAwesome! Congrats and good luck. Can’t wait to see you win the whole thing.
Liz Jacquart
January 18, 2011 at 1:59 pmWhere in s.f does this take place and who is involved? Would love to go!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:59 pmDefinitely! Check out the link in my post for more details…I’m still learning myself! It’s on February 12th from 1-3:30 and tickets are $14 (unlimited mac & cheese consumption). I would love it if you came!
Liz Jacquart
January 18, 2011 at 9:22 pmI am a newbie at the blog world.. probably about 2 months and LOVE your blog! In the process of conjuring up one of my own! I am living in the bay area for the year till june and this sounds great! 🙂
erin @ small things
January 18, 2011 at 2:02 pmso cool!! plus – I *love* that poster. please keep one and hang it up somewhere special.
can I make that request?
katryn@rampantcuisine
January 18, 2011 at 2:03 pmOoooh! How exciting! Congrats! It’s all about the blue cheese…
Jessica
January 18, 2011 at 2:13 pmAHHH! Super exciting! Good luck!
Sarah @OC2Seattle
January 18, 2011 at 2:15 pmCongratulations on getting chosen to compete! And what a great food battle – nothing beats mac n cheese!
Christie @ Abundant Self Care
January 18, 2011 at 2:25 pmOh my goodness! How exciting. Too bad I am on the east coast and gluten free…
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
January 18, 2011 at 2:26 pmCONGRATS!!! How exciting!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:58 pmthanks Mara! Hope all is well–I miss you!
Courtney @the granola chronicles
January 18, 2011 at 2:27 pmI live down in Palo Alto – I’ll have to come up to the city to try your mac & cheese!! It looks heavenly!!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:58 pmthat would be AWESOME! 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
January 18, 2011 at 2:31 pmIt may be worth a flight up to SF just to try your mac and cheese and cast my vote in your favor!!
Congrats on signing up for this challenge!
And i KNOW you’re gonna steal the show with your mac n cheese!
🙂
Michelle @ Living Learning Earning
January 18, 2011 at 2:38 pmThat’s awesome- congrats!!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Ashlee
January 18, 2011 at 2:52 pmIt’s a winner! I made it the night you first posted about it….worth every bit of cheesy greatness in it. Sweet Baby Cheeses it was great!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:57 pmaww thanks! I’m glad you liked it!
Kristi
January 18, 2011 at 3:10 pmYay! That will be exciting. I can’t imagine making mac and cheese for 200 people. That’s going to be so much fun. Good for you!
Katharina
January 18, 2011 at 3:17 pmThat’s awesome! I’ve been itching to make these ever since you posted the recipe.
Good luck!
Devon (Fast Foodie)
January 18, 2011 at 3:18 pmAwesome! I am glad I suggested you enter, I had a feeling you’d get in. You are going to do great.
Maria
January 18, 2011 at 3:30 pmCongrats! That recipe looks like it’s full of cheesy goodness!
Liz
January 18, 2011 at 3:32 pmA mac n’ cheese food war!! That sounds like heaven! Good luck!
Cara Craves...
January 18, 2011 at 3:54 pmThat’s awesome!
Congrats!
laura (Starloz)
January 18, 2011 at 3:56 pmoh damn, jenna, congratulations. that’s awesome
Tessa
January 18, 2011 at 3:56 pmCheeese! How I miss a sharp cheddar.
Nancy~The Wife of a Dairyman
January 18, 2011 at 3:58 pmWow! Congratulations! Sounds like a fun event to attend too:)
hippierunner
January 18, 2011 at 4:03 pmHow AWESOME! I wish I could go but it’s 21+ and I’m only 20 and I look about 14…
Sana
January 18, 2011 at 4:11 pmLOL! Congrats on winnning!
Natalie @Will Jog for Food
January 18, 2011 at 4:18 pmCongratulations!!! Cooking contests can be stressful, but they are SO exciting, you will have an amazing time!
stacey-healthylife
January 18, 2011 at 4:20 pmWow that will be a lot of mac n cheese. Congrats that sounds like a lot of fun.
Candice @ChiaSeedMe
January 18, 2011 at 4:21 pmCongrats Jenna – how fun!! I would be in heaven at this mac and cheese fest…but who wouldn’t I suppose? 🙂
shannen
January 18, 2011 at 4:24 pmCongrats! Sounds fun 🙂 how’s the book coming along? I can’t wait!!
jenna
January 18, 2011 at 5:57 pmit’s coming!! Currently working on the second draft and aiming to write about 20 pages per week. Gah!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
January 18, 2011 at 4:27 pmAhhh!!! How exciting! I would have picked yours too, just based on the drool worthiness factor of the picture. 😉
Have fun!! 😀
Jessica
January 18, 2011 at 4:56 pmCongrats, Jenna! That’s awesome!
Kerri B @tinybuttons
January 18, 2011 at 6:06 pmHave fun with all the melted cheese! Love the flyer.
Kasey
January 18, 2011 at 6:15 pmThat’s awesome!!! Congrats 🙂
Emily
January 18, 2011 at 6:37 pmHow awesome!! I always sign up for random things online assuming I will never get chosen…and never do 🙂 I have been starting to sign up for food related stuff more too, and I actually am really starting to hope that I get to test my culinary skills soon. Can’t wait to hear how all this goes 🙂
Missy
January 18, 2011 at 7:21 pmThe day you posted your recipe, I ran to the store and made your mac n’ cheese. LOVE IT! Hope you win!
Ruth @ The Inspired Latin Cook
January 18, 2011 at 7:21 pmWay to go, Jenna! I hope your mac knocks the cheese off from everybody’s face! Good luck!
Kay, The Church Cook
January 18, 2011 at 7:28 pmCongratulations, Jenna!!! I have been searching for a perfect mac and cheese recipe for last 3 years of cooking at church. My quest is ending soon with your winning recipe! Hooray!
Maria @ The Fitted Apron
January 18, 2011 at 7:34 pmCongratulations and good luck.
Camille
January 18, 2011 at 8:25 pmAwesome! Congrats Jenna!
Tina
January 18, 2011 at 8:38 pmCongrats Jenna! That is awesome that you got chosen to be part of something like that. Good luck with it! I’d kill to be one of the judges at something like that. haha
Susan
January 18, 2011 at 8:50 pmThis sounds like so much fun! I LOVE mac & cheese! Going to put it on my calendar!
Amanda
January 18, 2011 at 10:12 pmThats great! Now I really have to make this. Can you imagine all the mac n’ cheese you’ll see and taste there?! Sounds like heaven.
Emmy (Wine and Butter)
January 19, 2011 at 12:13 amThats awesome! I wish I still lived in the Bay sometimes – you do NOT get free food-off’s in London – they dont even have coupons in this country! 🙂 xox
Katherine: Unemployed
January 19, 2011 at 3:24 amI feel obligated to leave some “cheesy” joke… I think that fulfills my duty right there
Karen
January 19, 2011 at 4:22 amGo Jenna, Go! Excited for you!
Joy
January 19, 2011 at 5:50 amOhhh Jenna!
That’s awesome, you’re totz winning!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
January 19, 2011 at 6:59 amCrazy! and seriously….loooots of cheese!
Amber K
January 19, 2011 at 9:08 amVery cool! Go rock it, girl!
Kristen
January 19, 2011 at 9:10 amI will be there with a fork in hand….. and a to go container 🙂
Dee
January 19, 2011 at 10:11 amWow! Congrats Jenna! I hope you win!
Judith
January 19, 2011 at 10:48 amWow, Jenna, congrats! I will be there to cheer you on, if I can get a ticket. Sounds like it sells out pretty fast, so will sleep next to my computer 🙂
Cake Betch
January 19, 2011 at 1:33 pmThat’s awesome! I’ll have to make this soon, I loooooove mac and cheese!
Kimberly
January 19, 2011 at 2:25 pmMac n cheese tasting in SF! How do you get tickets? By the way, there’s also a chili cook off every summer in Bodega near the coast, you should enter!
Ffion @ Chocolate and Raspberries
January 21, 2011 at 4:55 amwow that is going to be alotta cheese! And a very big oven!
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
January 22, 2011 at 8:00 pmThat sounds super awesome and yummy! Congrats!