Houston Mac + Cheese Festival 2017: Was It Worth It?

Did you see the Houston Mac and Cheese Festival event floating around Facebook back in January? I checked interested because who wouldn't love taste testing a ton of macaroni and cheese? Spoiler: No one! I didn't think anything about it and certainly wasn't thinking that I'd end up going to the event itself. Luckily for my taste buds, my brother-in-law saw the event and suggested it as his birthday present from Rick and myself. Spoiler: This may be one of the best birthday presents ever.There were a ton of vendors set up from around Houston all toting their best mac + cheese for us to taste. I was a little curious how we were going to carry mac + cheese but we got a special plate that held several tasting cups and a beverage along with several drink tickets along with a token to use to vote on our favorite. We got there when the festival first started and I am so glad we did. We had a bit to sprint around between vendor booths before the place filled. When it filled, it was so hard to walk around but a bunch of people came and left within an hour and it lightened up. Unfortunately, by the time it lightened up some vendors were out of mac + cheese and the orange goodpops for one of the signature cocktails were gone.

Springing for the VIP Tickets - Yay or Nay?

For us, it was a matter of money with the general admission tickets close to $50, there was no question for us which we would purchase. From what I saw of those who got the VIP tickets, other than access to the VIP section they got a tote bag with some goodies in it. We left right after they announced the overall Mac + Cheese Winner. I'm not sure if they had too many tote bags or what, but we walked away with 4 tote bags filled with goodies when we left even though we didn't buy the correct tickets. For me, there wasn't enough of a reason to shell out the extra $20-30 bucks. I'd definitely say nay to VIP and stick with the general admission tickets. The point is to eat all the mac + cheese anyway, right?

Was the Mac + Cheese Good?

This question seems like it should be obvious. Duh, mac and cheese is almost always amazing. I didn't get to taste all the mac + cheese options available because I got full. Of the ones I did taste, I was a little disappointed. A lot of the vendors seemed to throw a thick piece of bacon on top or crumbly bacon bits and that was it. Very few mac + cheeses seemed to go over the top which was most notably, the Oxtail Mac + Cheese from Houston This Is It's Soul Food restaurant which was the #1 place winner. There was also a Spicy Crawfish Mac + Cheese from Hughies Tavern that Rick and D devoured and loved. For the most part, the mac + cheeses were good but not the phenomenal kind of good that I think I really expected going into the event. I also really liked a truffle one and a mac + cheese ball covered with a spicy marinara sauce.The #2 winner, Swift + Company, had the absolute best mac + cheese in my opinion. It's called the Mac + Cheese Texas Tango and is a pulled pork mac + cheese with a mango tomatillo slaw. I was so in love with this weirdly somewhat sweet creation that I went back for 3 portions. Not only was it delicious, it was one of the more creative concoctions. I'll definitely be trying to recreate this mac + cheese beauty at home.

Was it Worth It Then?

I believe that the 2017 Houston Mac + Cheese Festival was definitely worth a one time go. We did thoroughly enjoy our experience. For the admission price though, I doubt we'll be going back in the future when it comes back next year. If we had a group of family or friends that wanted to go next year, I'd be down to go with them. I do think that it would make for an amazing date idea or birthday present experience.Enjoy some of your favorite mac + cheese soon! Also, feel free to check out my Mac + Cheese pinterest board for creative recipes.