Behind The Butter

send more cheese, please

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.

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  • mary (sisters running the kitchen)
    January 18, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    wow! 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 pm

    Holy cheese! Congrats Jenna! Wish I was there to chow on the mac and cheese.

  • Stephanie Rose
    January 18, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Holy 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 pm

    Wow, congrats girl! They won’t taste anything better 🙂

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    January 18, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    aaah!! 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 pm

    Fun!! You will be great!

  • Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes
    January 18, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    So fun!! You’ll do great 🙂

  • Evan Thomas
    January 18, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Congratulations! That’s awesome. Best of luck!

  • Erin (Travel Eat Repeat)
    January 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    No 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 pm

    Wow! 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 pm

    I 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 pm

      you guys should come!! I would love that!

      • Amber's Notebook
        January 19, 2011 at 12:15 pm

        If 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 pm

    Wow congrats Jenna! That’s awesome!

  • Darcy @ She Sings at the Table
    January 18, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    Awesome! Lucky, lucky locals that get to sample and vote….. Good luck!

  • Stephanie
    January 18, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Congratulations!!! I’d love to have judged that contest!

  • dana @ my little celebration
    January 18, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Oh 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 pm

    Wow, 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 pm

    Congratulations! 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 pm

      bahaha that’s awesome.

  • Marie @ Quarterlife Quandary
    January 18, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    yay- 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 pm

    Totally awesome Jenna. Congrats!

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking
    January 18, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    wow 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 pm

    I 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 pm

    How exciting!! I’m sure it will be great fun.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    January 18, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Oh em gee… I wish I was there to eat massive amounts of it.

    • jenna
      January 18, 2011 at 6:01 pm

      me too! you and mr. how sweet should take a vacay…I’ll give him some chicken!

  • Ida
    January 18, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    How 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 pm

    CONGRATS!!!!! I wish I could be there to taste it!

  • Ellie
    January 18, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Oh- 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 pm

      I 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 pm

    that’s awesome, we’re rooting for you!

  • Alina @ Duty Free Foodie
    January 18, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Congratulations – 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 pm

      hahaha yeah, who knew san francisco was so mac & cheese friendly!

  • Lisa
    January 18, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    oooh congrats!!! Now if only I could be a taste tester for said comepetition 🙂

  • Jenna
    January 18, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    How 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 pm

    SO 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 pm

    wow, congrats! that’s pretty sweet! 🙂

  • Blog is the New Black
    January 18, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    CONGRATS!

  • Baking 'n' Books
    January 18, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Congrats! I can’t imagine cooking for 4 let along 200!

    • Baking 'n' Books
      January 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      Oh and is SF far from where you live? Sounds intense!

      • jenna
        January 18, 2011 at 5:57 pm

        nope! Only an hour!

  • Jessica
    January 18, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    Congratulations! 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 pm

    Amazing, way to go!

  • Shannon @ Freshman Yr of Life
    January 18, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    Ah that’s awesome! Can I come?

  • Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
    January 18, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Congratulations!! That’s awesome

  • Angelea
    January 18, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Rock 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 pm

    Congrats! That’s awesome. I wish I was one of the taste testers. Yum!

  • Current Instincts
    January 18, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Congratulations! I want to go to this cheesy festival so bad!

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    January 18, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    Gahh 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 pm

    Congrats! That’s so fun!

  • Christine (The Raw Project)
    January 18, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    How exciting on the food wars, congrats! I can’t wait to hear more on it.

  • Jess (Sweet Potato)
    January 18, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Congrats! 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 pm

    Ahhhh congrats!!!!

  • britt
    January 18, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    exciting! 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 pm

      yay! I hope it was birthday worthy 🙂

  • Moni'sMeals
    January 18, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Congrats! Looks amazing.

  • Rochel
    January 18, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Awesome! Congrats and good luck. Can’t wait to see you win the whole thing.

  • Liz Jacquart
    January 18, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Where in s.f does this take place and who is involved? Would love to go!

    • jenna
      January 18, 2011 at 5:59 pm

      Definitely! 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 pm

        I 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 pm

    so 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 pm

    Ooooh! How exciting! Congrats! It’s all about the blue cheese…

  • Jessica
    January 18, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    AHHH! Super exciting! Good luck!

  • Sarah @OC2Seattle
    January 18, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    Congratulations 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 pm

    Oh 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 pm

    CONGRATS!!! How exciting!

    • jenna
      January 18, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      thanks Mara! Hope all is well–I miss you!

  • Courtney @the granola chronicles
    January 18, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    I 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 pm

      that would be AWESOME! 🙂

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    January 18, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    It 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 pm

    That’s awesome- congrats!!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

  • Ashlee
    January 18, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    It’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 pm

      aww thanks! I’m glad you liked it!

  • Kristi
    January 18, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Yay! 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 pm

    That’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 pm

    Awesome! 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 pm

    Congrats! That recipe looks like it’s full of cheesy goodness!

  • Liz
    January 18, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    A mac n’ cheese food war!! That sounds like heaven! Good luck!

  • Cara Craves...
    January 18, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    That’s awesome!
    Congrats!

  • laura (Starloz)
    January 18, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    oh damn, jenna, congratulations. that’s awesome

  • Tessa
    January 18, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Cheeese! How I miss a sharp cheddar.

  • Nancy~The Wife of a Dairyman
    January 18, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    Wow! Congratulations! Sounds like a fun event to attend too:)

  • hippierunner
    January 18, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    How 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 pm

    LOL! Congrats on winnning!

  • Natalie @Will Jog for Food
    January 18, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Congratulations!!! Cooking contests can be stressful, but they are SO exciting, you will have an amazing time!

  • stacey-healthylife
    January 18, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Wow 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 pm

    Congrats 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 pm

    Congrats! Sounds fun 🙂 how’s the book coming along? I can’t wait!!

    • jenna
      January 18, 2011 at 5:57 pm

      it’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 pm

    Ahhh!!! 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 pm

    Congrats, Jenna! That’s awesome!

  • Kerri B @tinybuttons
    January 18, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Have fun with all the melted cheese! Love the flyer.

  • Kasey
    January 18, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    That’s awesome!!! Congrats 🙂

  • Emily
    January 18, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    How 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 pm

    The 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 pm

    Way 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 pm

    Congratulations, 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 pm

    Congratulations and good luck.

  • Camille
    January 18, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Awesome! Congrats Jenna!

  • Tina
    January 18, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    Congrats 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 pm

    This sounds like so much fun! I LOVE mac & cheese! Going to put it on my calendar!

  • Amanda
    January 18, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    Thats 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 am

    Thats 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 am

    I feel obligated to leave some “cheesy” joke… I think that fulfills my duty right there

  • Karen
    January 19, 2011 at 4:22 am

    Go Jenna, Go! Excited for you!

  • Joy
    January 19, 2011 at 5:50 am

    Ohhh Jenna!
    That’s awesome, you’re totz winning!

  • Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
    January 19, 2011 at 6:59 am

    Crazy! and seriously….loooots of cheese!

  • Amber K
    January 19, 2011 at 9:08 am

    Very cool! Go rock it, girl!

  • Kristen
    January 19, 2011 at 9:10 am

    I will be there with a fork in hand….. and a to go container 🙂

  • Dee
    January 19, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Wow! Congrats Jenna! I hope you win!

  • Judith
    January 19, 2011 at 10:48 am

    Wow, 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 pm

    That’s awesome! I’ll have to make this soon, I loooooove mac and cheese!

  • Kimberly
    January 19, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    Mac 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 am

    wow that is going to be alotta cheese! And a very big oven!

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    January 22, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    That sounds super awesome and yummy! Congrats!