Who makes the best Mac and Cheese? For the month of October, YOU can decide

20 glorious restaurants will be battling it out  to become the top mac and cheese aficionado in downtown Peterborough.  

For the month of October each resto will have a signature mac + cheese dish on offer, all competing for your vote.

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Join us on this epic foodie adventure chock-full of carb-heavy goodness.

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 Dishcover Peterborough's most epic mac and cheese dish. For the month of October- 20 unique macs will be featured on local menus throughout the downtown restaurant scene.

Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival has something for everyone. We're talk'n vegans, cheegans, and even the carbivores.

Plan your mac adventure with our online Mac Map to scout out your favourite spots for dine-in or take out. 

Host a dishcrawl with a group of friends or dine solo- the choice is yours;)  

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On top of all our carb-heavy shenanigans' we're also running a fantastical food drive. Be sure to bring your non-perishables downtown this October. 

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 Who will be crowned the  Mac + Cheese Champion?  

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With 20 restaurants to choose from the stakes couldn't be any higher. 

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Help put your fave mac and cheese creator on the map.

Vote for your top mac and sleep well knowing "you did your bit" to make downtown Ptbo just a little more cheesy.

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By the end of October only one mac will reign supreme.

Local mac
mAKE-at-home 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter 

2 tablespoons flour 

1 cup milk 

2 cups  Pasta Shop noodles

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Dash of tabasco sauce

1 cup of empire cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons Prince Edward County 1 year old parmesan

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Directions

+ Preheat oven to 350. Grease small oven-proof dish set aside for later. 

+ In a medium sauce pan melt butter, and whisk in flour until it forms a smooth paste. Add milk and whisk until smooth.

Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook fresh Pasta Shop shells for 8 minutes. Drain and return to pot. 

+ Pour sauce over noodles, add 1 cup cheddar cheese, dash of tabasco to taste and season with salt and pepper. + Pour noodle mixture into greased oven dish and sprinkle parmesan on top. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes.

onLY AT THE FOOD SHOP

We've curated a local, make-at-home recipe made with regional and artseaonal ingredients for a simple mac and cheese dish that will bake to perfection in any home-cooks oven.

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Featuring handmade pasta from the Pasta Shop, paired with local cheese, ,milk, and stone-ground flour- this quick and easy recipe is a great entry level dish for any mac + cheese fan!

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All the ingredients for out #official Local Mac is available at The Food Shop, located in the heart of downtown Peterborough at 374 Water Street.

2021 Winning Recipe

From Sam's Place

Now you can make Sam's winning 2021 mac + cheese dish at home.

Sure to please the whole family this Jalapeño Bacon Mac + Cheesewich will bring glory to any home-cooks table.  

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter 

2 tablespoons flour 

2 cups water 

3.5 cups milk 

1 pound macaroni noodles

.75 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/4 teaspoon onion powder 

1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar) 

 2 ounces cream cheese 

8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled ( or 1/2 lbs bacon ends, finely chopped and cooked) 

1/2 cup minced jalapenos (jarred or fresh) 

1 cup crumbled potato chips 

1/4 cup parm 

1/4 cup melted butter 

One good loaf of Sourdough bread

Slice up a deli pickle for garnish (Sam's Place sells lovely ones at the resto)

INSTRUCTIONS 

Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the  flour, then whisk until combined into a thick paste, about 30 seconds. 

• Pour in the water and whisk until smooth and just  thickened. 

•  Add the milk and whisk until combined. 

• Stir in the macaroni, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and  pepper, then bring the mixture to a simmer.

• Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is  done. 

• Turn the heat to low, then stir in the shredded and cream  cheeses. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the  jalapeños and bacon. 

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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

•  In a medium  bowl, mix together chips, parm and 1/4 Cup  (melted) margarine. Place pasta in an oven safe dish and sprinkle the chip mixture evenly over the  macaroni. 

• Bake for 10 minutes or until topping is light brown.  

• ALLOW TO COOL 10 MINUTES BEFORE CUTTING. 

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Cut pasta dish into 6 or 8 squares, place on two slices of buttered  sourdough bread with a few slices of American cheddar  (process cheese) and grill until the cheese has melted. 

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ENJOY

 For the month of October join us on our  humble quest to #dishcover downtown Peterborough's most epic mac + cheese.

A Mac + Cheese Festival where all your cheesy dreams come true. Featuring 19 downtown restaurants all serving an over the top mac + cheese dish. Restaurants will be competing for local votes to earn the glorious honour of having made Ptbo's best mac + cheese.

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On top of all our carb-heavy shenanigans' we're also running a fantastical food drive. Each restaurant location will host a month-long food drive in support of Kawartha Food Share. Be sure to bring your non-perishables downtown this October.