The stars have aligned to create the best Mac & Cheese festival imaginable on September 8^th in Aspen/Snowmass Village. Not only will Little Annie’s restaurant be celebrating it’s 40^th anniversary serving the Aspen/Snowmass area, but the summer farmer’s market will also be in full swing as well – complete with harvested food from Aspen/Snowmass growers and nearby local farms. Together these three events create the perfect culmination of culinary taste to cause foodies throughout the country, not fortunate enough to be in Aspen/Snowmass to salivate.

This year’s festival, the second of its kind, will feature such big name restaurants as Rustique Bisto, Jimmy’s, Cache Cache, Steak house No. 316, Boogies Diner, Aspen Elk’s Lodge and the Red Onion, to name a few of the early entrants. The Festival expects at lest twenty entrants. Last year’s winner, Rustique, and its runner up, Jimmy’s, have returned to duel it out over pasta, cheese and Aspen/Snowmass locals and visitors.  Renowned and Aspen Favorite celebrity chef, Susie Jimenez will return this year to create her own magic as a special, ‘cheesy’ guest.

Vendors are gearing up for at least 1,500 people by purchasing nearly 20,000 serving cups and even more spoons, according to the Aspen Times on August 13th.  Last year all contestants served 2 oz portions of their Mac-n-cheese magic to voters and festival attendees, allowing them to choose their favorite combination of this great American comfort food. However, despite what seemed ample preparation and supplies for this event, people enjoyed the Mac & Cheese festival so much last year that every vendor ran out completely, some vendors were even serving their specialty in Dixie cups.

Hoping for the same enthusiasm and creativity (the macaroni and cheese combinations last year included, but were not limited to duck comfit and lobster), Aspen Mac & Cheese Festival organizers are preparing for a knock-down-drag-out Mac & Cheese competition between old favorites or new sweethearts! This free event will take place between 2-5p.m.  on the eighth on East Hopkins Avenue, between Mill and Monarch Streets.

As always in Aspen and Snowmass Village, along with the adult festivities there is always a bit of fun for the whole family. DJ Echo Dafunk will keep the crowd lively, while balloon twisters, clowns and activities for the kids will entertain the kiddos between bites of deliciousness. In addition to all of this, this year’s event will also boast, “an ice sculpture of a big macaroni,” Keith Bulicz, Mac & Cheese Festival Founder and Organizer, was quoted in the Aspen Times promising attendees.

Like anything in Aspen/Snowmass Village, this is not the average food contest – it is an Aspen/Snowmass food contest, which really does make all of the difference, because Aspen/Snowmass really is the cheesiest of the cheese!

Join the fun! Grab a Mac & Cheese sample this September, pick your favorite and embrace just one more delicious and irresistible part of Aspen/Snowmass Village this summer! Click here to see new homes, condos and residences on the market today!