Pick the best mac and cheese in the Poconos at bake-off benefit in Stroudsburg on Nov. 4
From a press release:
Everyone loves mac and cheese, but who makes it the best – home cooks or professionals? As the cold weather arrives in Northeastern Pennsylvania, warm up with some of the area’s best comfort food while supporting the Pocono Arts Council at the Starving Artist Mac & Cheese Bake-Off.
The sixth annual event will return to Renegade Winery (600 Main St., Stroudsburg) on Sunday, Nov. 4 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.
To date, restaurants scheduled to participate and compete for valuable prizes include the Beer House Café, Buck Hill Catering, Corona Café & Deli, the Fairway Grille, the Original Pocono Pub, the Quench Cafe, and Thyme Bundle. Amateurs who have signed up to compete for prizes in this tasty fundraiser are Martin Andrejczyn, Alyson Moeller, and Krisann Wean.
In addition to winning the title of Best Mac & Cheese in the Poconos, the first place restaurant will receive one free month of digital advertising from Lamar Advertising, valued at $1,500. The second place winner in the professional category will receive a $500 radio advertising package on Pocono 96.7, courtesy of Neversink Media. The first place winner in the amateur category will receive $100 cash, with additional prizes for second and third place. This year’s judges will include Elisa Chase, broadcaster from Pocono 96.7; Brian Crawford, owner of Rootin’ Tootin’ Hot Dogs; and Kiki Charriez, author and Air Force veteran. Winners will be announced based on votes from public attendees and the panel of judges.
All proceeds benefit the programs and services of the Pocono Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties. Last year’s event was a big success, with 20 contestants and more than 150 attendees.
2018 Mac & Cheese Bake-Off sponsors include Carol Gingrich of Carol’s Scents N’ Soaps and Dulce Ridder of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. For more information, call 570-476-4460 or e-mail info@poconoarts.org.
The mission of the Pocono Arts Council, a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is to build the community artistically and culturally by providing leadership, service, and education. Over the years, PoconoArts has originated and developed many services and programs that enrich the cultural atmosphere for artists, residents, and visitors to the Poconos. Its monthly newsletter has long been a source of information on cultural activities and opportunities. Other important services include county-wide public gallery spaces, students’ juried exhibition, annual members’ exhibition, studio classes, ArtSpace Gallery, cultural planning, arts advocacy, and technical assistance. Yearly events sponsored by the council include the Pocono State Craft Festival, Festival of Wood, Spring for the Arts, and Starving Artist Mac & Cheese Bake-Off.
Council membership has grown dramatically over the years. As the council grew, its achievements were recognized at both the national and state levels. In 1992, the council received an NEA salary support grant, which enabled it to move from volunteer and part-time status to full-time executive leadership. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts selected PoconoArts as one of four pilot sites for its Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program in 1997. Through this program, over $1,845,234 has been granted to grassroots organizations in a five-county region.
