Londonderry News

The pressure (cooker) is on!

Once again I am throwing my hat into the ring with a new culinary creation. Last year was the first ever Mac & Cheese event hosted by the Granite State Dairy Promotion. The Holiday Inn in Concord was host location as each entrant placed their carefully created dish into prepared chafing dishes set up for the day. It was a cold day in January of 2011 as each hopeful chef met an enthusiastic crowd and what turned out to be a hugely popular and sold-out event.

Three categories are offered once again and will be filled with an assortment of the classic pasta dish: NH Made, Most Creative or Exotic, and Most Cheesiest.

A few of the specialty items (among others) I will be using in the NH Made category to create my entry. Mack's Apples butternut squash and Hank Peterson's maple syrup is also part of my secret recipe!

The non-profit, Granite State Dairy Promotion is funded by dairy farmers. Their mission is to increase the sale and use of milk and other dairy products through promotional activities, nutrition activities, and to enhance the image of the dairy industry.

Long before the blue box became a staple in many American homes, the English, Italian and other cultures created pasta and cheese dishes centuries ago. Thomas Jefferson brought back a version from France and Europe, serving it in the White House. GSDP will be creating a little bit of history with this unique event.

Doors open at 2 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012 for the 2nd annual NH’s Own Macaroni and Cheese Bake-Off. Ten bucks will get you in to sample as much mac & cheese created and served to you every which way. You will be also be supporting an important way of life for each of us who appreciate the Granite State. Come early and vote! YOU decide who gets to be the big cheese of the day! See you there!