The Big Cheese Mac and Cheese Festival returns to Kellogg Arena Saturday

Greyson Steele, Battle Creek Enquirer
Trent Mead from One Nation Tap and Table prepares mac and cheese dishes during The Big Cheese mac and cheese festival at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Trent Mead from One Nation Tap and Table prepares mac and cheese dishes during The Big Cheese mac and cheese festival at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

A popular comfort food is taking center stage this weekend in Battle Creek.

Back and cheesier than ever, The Big Cheese Mac and Cheese Festival returns to Kellogg Arena Saturday with a diverse array of mac and cheese offerings from Battle Creek area restaurateurs and beyond.

The celebration of all things cheesy runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and will feature games and live music, not to mention 18 area food vendors serving up their best old-fashioned and loaded mac and cheese creations.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online or at the door. Samples range in prices. The Big Cheese is presented by Penetrator Events, the Battle Creek Small Business Development Office and Kellogg Arena.

Tables and tents set up during The Big Cheese mac and cheese festival at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Tables and tents set up during The Big Cheese mac and cheese festival at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

The second annual mac and cheese festival looks to build on the success of Que the Creek and this year's inaugural hot dog festival, Glizzy Fest. These food events have not only satisfied empty stomachs but also generated additional foot traffic downtown.

"That is 100% our goal, to make downtown better, make Battle Creek a destination, to get people to our community, get people supporting our businesses," Jeremy Andrews, chief excitement officer of Penetrator Events and co-organizer of The Big Cheese, told the Enquirer previously. "We want (people) to know what we have to offer in terms of food, in terms of retail amenities.

"We believe that bringing people out to eat is then what brings people out to shop," he continued. "That's a way to bolster all businesses from service to food to retailers and more."

Pulled Pork Mac is one of the specialties at On The Roll Food Truck.
Pulled Pork Mac is one of the specialties at On The Roll Food Truck.

Big Cheese attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorites in the following categories: "Best Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese," "Best Loaded Mac and Cheese," and "Best Extreme Mac and Cheese."

"Your taste preferences will help crown the ultimate cheesy champion of the festival," organizers said.

For more information about The Big Cheese, visit thebigcheesebc.com.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Mac and cheese to take center stage at Kellogg Arena Saturday

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