Seems like pretty much everyone has a mac ‘n’ cheese memory. Whether it was the first lunch you were allowed to make yourself (from the blue box, natch) or your aunt’s special, extra-creamy recipe trotted out for every family get-together, the mix of pasta and cheese serves as the ultimate comfort food.
Well, forget all those warm, fuzzy feelings, because Thursday’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown at the Goose Island Brewery in Wrigleyville (3535 N. Clark, 7-10 p.m.) has way more to do with cut-throat competition than with bringing you back to your youth. We’re betting most of the entries will include ingredients your aunt never thought of, anyway. Mac attackers include Top Chef Stephanie Izard, Giuseppe Tentori (Boka), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Amalia Obermeier-Smith (Kuma’s Corner), John Chiakulas (Mity Nice Grill) and Roger Herring (Socca).
For $50 in advance, $75 at the door, you’ll get to taste the creations, plus appetizers, dessert, beer, wine and an exclusive MACtini cocktail courtesy of Adam Seger, mixologist at Nacional 27. There will also be live entertainment and a silent auction. The whole event benefits the Organic School Project, so you can feel good about overindulging. At least for a few hours, before your stomach starts to rebel against you.