CLEVELAND, Ohio – The third annual SMART Local 33 Mac ‘n’ Cheese Throwdown is set for Saturday, Feb. 23, in downtown Cleveland.
The event, founded by Cleveland native Sera Nelson, will be noon to 3:30 p.m. at Cleveland Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland.
Ticket are pre-sale only.
Admission is $30 (free for kids under 5) and includes tastes from each of the participating vendors and two non-boozy beverage tickets.
VIP tickets are $50 and include expedited entry, tastes from all vendors, two non-boozy beverage tickets, and access to VIP seating and bar areas.
The event benefits Berea-based Working Animals Giving Service for Kids - W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. The organization trains and provides mobility and autism service dogs for children in 22 northeast and central Ohio counties. The dogs are trained by inmates in the Step By Step training programs at Grafton and Mansfield correctional institutions.
The concept is simple: Restaurants get creative with the classic comfort dish. The eateries will put their best cheesy spin on a dish to compete in two categories: “Classic Mac” and “Modern Mac.” Patrons vote on their favorites.
The first two sold-out events raised more than $120,000. Last year's winners:
Classic Mac: Luxe Kitchen + Lounge
Modern Mac: Metropolitan at the 9
People’s Choice: Metropolitan at the 9
Participating restaurants so far (more are in the works):
Astoria Café & Market - Cleveland
Hilton Bar 32 - Cleveland
Battery Park Pub- Cleveland
BRIM Kitchen + Brewery- Willoughby
Cafe Avalaun - Cleveland
Cocky’s Bagel Sandwiches - multiple locations
Deagan’s Kitchen & Bar - Lakewood
Grayton Road Tavern - Cleveland
Great Lakes Brewing Co. - Cleveland
Hatfield’s GOODE GRUB - Cleveland
Hi and Dry - Cleveland
Mad Mac’s - Lakewood
Matteo’s - Olmsted Falls
Pub Frato Gastropub - Painesville
Punch Bowl Social Cleveland - Cleveland
Sara’s Place - Gates Mills
Sol - Willoughby
Metropolitan at The 9, Autograph Collection - Cleveland
Tremont Taphouse- Cleveland
Two Bucks Avon - Avon
Yuzu - Lakewood
More info
For questions about the event, go online, email sera@wags4kids.com or call 216-586-5853, ext. 2. Nelson is director of Development and Special Events for W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. Note: Volunteers for the mac and cheese event are needed.