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All-you-can-eat macaroni and cheese and live music performed by the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra. Is there a more appetizing local event?

Join 102.5 The Vault for The 8th annual Mac & Cheese Fest, it will kick off at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Holiday Inn Binghamton Downtown, featuring 16 different types of mac and cheese.

For $25, patrons get an all-you-can-eat pass and proceeds support the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra. Orchestra officials said the event raised more than $20,000 last year.

The event will not feature a takeout option this year, an alternative the past two years because of the pandemic, and officials predict all 800 tickets will sell out.

What restaurants are competing?

Restaurants competing in the 2023 iteration of the competition:

Additional restaurants may be added before the event.

Last year, Kampai Japanese Steakhouse was awarded top prize for Original Mac, Judge’s Choice, and FatCowboys Fireside BBQ won for Best Presentation and Best of the Fest.

Voting for your favorite mac and cheese

The Mac & Cheese Fest, a fundraiser for the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, will return to downtown Binghamton in February.

Guests will vote in categories for Best of the Fest, Most Original Mac, and Most Classic Mac, while celebrity judges will give out awards for Judge’s Choice and New to the Fest.

There will be QR codes throughout the venue for people to place their votes.

This year’s judges for the event will be Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, NewsChannel 34 News Director Jim Ehmke, WBNG Morning News Anchor Karleen Leveille, The Agency Executive Director Stacey Duncan, and Daniel Hege, Music Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra and president of the Binghamton Cheese Club.

The winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m.

How to get tickets for the Mac & Cheese Fest

For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.bingmacfest.com.

Tejay Schwartz

Morning Drive Jock at GM Broadcasting / 102.5 The Vault. -- I was born in Denmark and moved to the US with my family when I was 3. I grew up in Upstate NY and have lived here since. I graduated from JC High school and Sullivan County Community. I'm working The 102.5 The Vault Morning Show as well as traffic (scheduling commercials).