National Tillamook® Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Contest Announces Cook-Off Winner
NATIONAL TILLAMOOKâ MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE CONTEST ANNOUNCES COOK-OFF WINNER
Ann Jones wins two top prizes and $6,000 cash in fifth annual contest
Tillamook, Ore. – October 29, 2009 – Ann Jones of Littleton, Colorado, won $6,000 cash, 25 pounds of Tillamook cheese and “The Big Cheese” title last week at the 5th Annual Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Contest Grand Finale Cook-off at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub in Portland, Oregon. Jones’ “Rustic Fried Sage & Chicken Apple Sausage Mac-n-Cheese with Autumn Chutney” dish more than satisfied the palates of the judges at the cook-off against five other semi-finalists from across the country.
Jones’ dish also satiated event attendees palates during “People’s Choice” voting, back by popular demand from last year’s Cook-off. Event attendees voted for their favorite macaroni and cheese dish created by the six semi-finalists. The “People’s Choice” win resulted in $1,000 cash for Jones in addition to her $5,000 cash grand prize at the cook-off.
“My experience in Portland was amazing and I want to thank the folks at Tillamook and Kells for their hospitality and such a terrific experience; it was top notch. I feel so honored to have been invited to the Tillamook cook-off and to be able to cook with such a great group of ladies,” said Jones.
Keegan Gerhard, host of The Food Network’s Food Network Challenge, emceed this year’s competition. Semi-finalists prepared their dishes from scratch in front of an audience of nearly 500 people and a panel of eleven culinary experts, local celebrities and food writers.
The semi-finalists and a guest were treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the contest. The day prior to the cook-off, finalists and their guests were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tillamook Cheese Factory and a private dinner compliments of Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub.
To view the winning recipes, final cook-off results, event photos or to learn more about our contest partners, Widmer Brothers Brewing and Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, please visit http://www.macaroniandcheeseandcheese.com/contest.
About Tillamook County Creamery Association
The Tillamook County Creamery Association, formed as a farmer-owned cooperative in 1909, has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s 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 our Web site: www.TillamookCheese.com
