The Annual Mac and Cheese Festival has plenty to smile about
Forget New Year’s resolutions for the day and embrace your inner comfort-seeker at the annual MAC AND CHEESE FESTIVAL, on Saturday, Jan. 18 from noon to 5 pm at more than a dozen downtown locations (cdadowntown.com/mac-cheese-festival).
Throughout downtown Coeur d’Alene, 18 food venues have signed on to provide a super-cheesy experience, ranging from food trucks like Drummin’ Up BBQ’s to Mangia Catering, to local eateries like Rustic, Cricket’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Sweet Lou’s, Honey Eatery & Social Club, Bier Haus, Calypso’s Coffee and all the Coeur d’Alene Resort restaurants.
It’s not just local restaurants, either. Westwood Brewing from Rathdrum presents elk sausage mac and cheese while Spokane’s Black Diamond will be serving their five-cheese smoked mac in bite-sized waffle cones.
Part of the fun is the friendly competition amongst chefs vying for People’s Choice and the Golden Noodle awards, which Paragon Brewing is hoping to repeat again this year with their green chile “Tex Mac.”
Did we mention this event is really popular? Kids’ tickets (ages 12-and-under, $10) and the Mac Pack (six tastings, all ages, $25) are both sold out, unfortunately. But the Mac & Beer package (ages 21-and-older only) are still available and include six mac and cheese tastings, eight 4-ounce beer tastings and a commemorative pint glass ($35). Your culinary adventure starts at the Resort Plaza Shops, where you’ll pick up your tickets, drink tokens and commemorative glass (with Mac & Beer purchase only), as well as a “noodle” to vote for your favorite chef and a map to the other venues.
Extend your eating experience with special offers from the COEUR D’ALENE RESORT (cdaresort.com). Book the DINNER CRUISE featuring an “Around the World” menu (adults, $35, Seniors, $33, ages 6-12, $25, ages 5-and-under, free). Enjoy the culinary accents of Italy with a mozzarella-rich casserole including pepperoni and roasted peppers. Mexican culture is highlighted with pork carnitas mac and cheese, while classic American food is highlighted in a third dish with Buffalo chicken wings and blue cheese crumble.
Stay overnight at the resort with one of two FESTIVAL PACKAGES. The standard overnight package includes room accommodations (Jan. 17 or 18) and two tickets while the VIP package also includes unlimited mac and cheese prepared by the resort’s culinary team in the Taphouse Unchained VIP Lounge.
Special Events
Jackass Day
JANUARY 10
Fifty-two years ago, the ski hill then known as Jackass Ski Bowl opened. You know that beloved resort now as Silver Mountain. Celebrate how it all got started with $12 lift tickets — the original lift ticket price from back in the day. Be sure to stick around for a night skiing celebration and more discounted tickets Sunday night, Jan. 11.
Music Walk
JANUARY 10
Downtown Coeur d’Alene rings with live music from our talented, local musician singer/songwriters the second Friday of each month, January through March starting at 5 pm.
Comedy Night at the Inn
JANUARY 10-11
Back-to-back comedy nights start the new year right at the Coeur d’Alene Inn. Friday’s show features Greg Beachler and headline Phil Tag, seen on The Tonight Show and Showtime. Saturday’s show starts with Beth Norton with Louis Johnson headlining. Tickets $17.50; doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm; 21+; Coeur d’Alene Inn.
CDA Full Moon Bike Ride
JANUARY 10
Yes, there’s snow in the forecast, but that won’t stop Slate Creek’s monthly Full Moon Bike Ride. So bundle up and join the fun. The pre-party starts at 6 pm at Slate Creek and the ride starts at 8 pm and returns back to the brewery in about an hour.
TEDxCoeur d’Alene
JANUARY 11
This full-day event will feature 15 talks and several exciting live experiences. Leaders from diverse industries and backgrounds will come together to speak to about their big ideas and solutions for changing the world. Go to cda4.fun. for a complete schedule.
