Tillamook, Ore. Six home cooks from across the country have been selected to compete for the grand prize title of The Big Cheese, up to $6,000 cash and a years supply of Tillamook cheese, at the fifth annual Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese Grand Finale Cook-off at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub in Portland, Oregon, on October 23, 2009.
In addition to tasting some of the best homemade macaroni and cheese recipes in the country, all made with Tillamook cheese, food enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet Keegan Gerhard, host of the Food Networks, Food Network Challenge, who will emcee this years grand finale cook-off.
This year we received thousands of submissions as foodies from across the country submitted their macaroni and cheese recipes at www.macaroniandcheeseandcheese.com/contest. Semi-finalists will be flown to Portland for the Grand Finale Cook-off, where they will cook their recipes from scratch in front of a live audience, a panel of national food writers, a team of Tillamook dairy farmers and culinary aficionados.
Cook-off attendees will have the opportunity to sample finalists dishes and vote for their favorite to determine the Peoples Choice award winner, a title that comes with $1,000 cash and various other prizes. People interested in attending the Grand Finale Cook-off should RSVP at Eventbrite for event tickets and additional details. Space is limited, so RSVP for your seat at the grand finale cook-off today!
For additional information about Gerhard, host of the Food Networks, Food Network Challenge and the grand finale cook-off, please visit the contest Web site, Tillamook Cheeses Facebook Fan page, Fan Club Web site or Twitter feed.
About Tillamook County Creamery Association
The Tillamook County Creamery Association, formed as a farmer-owned co-operative in 1909, has earned a reputation as one of the nations premier makers of cheese. TCCA is a national marketer of naturally aged cheddar and a variety of other cheeses, butter and an extensive line of premium ice cream, sour cream and yogurt. TCCA is most famously known for its internationally award-winning Tillamook cheddar cheese. For more information visit its Web site:www.TillamookCheese.com.