BATTLE CREEK — It was a celebration of all things cheesy Saturday at Kellogg Arena.
Nearly 20 food vendors set up shop inside the arena, serving up their best old-fashioned, loaded and extreme mac and cheese creations for patrons to enjoy as part of the second annual Big Cheese Mac and Cheese Festival. The event drew more than 3,000 attendees, according to Battle Creek Small Business Development Director John Hart.
"We do this event because we believe in small business in Battle Creek," Jeremy Andrews, chief excitement officer of Penetrator Events and co-organizer of The Big Cheese, explained during Saturday's trophy presentation. "We want to support small business owners, not just in Battle Creek but in our region. We want people from Kalamazoo and Jackson to come compete here and we want their people to come here and see our awesome city and spend their money here.
"If we run out of some mac and cheese along the way, that’s the goal."
Local catering company Pops Gut caught the eye — and satisfied the taste buds — of many during the event, garnering awards for Best Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese (Judges' Choice), Best Loaded Mac and Cheese (Judges' Choice) and Best Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese (People's Choice).
"The best feeling ever is having my kids be able to witness it all," Pops Gut owner Tyree Boyd explained Monday. "Food Prize 2023 was our first competition and for them to see us win that as well, I feel (it) gives them hope and encouragement that they can do anything, while seeing daily the work and sacrifices it takes. I'm beyond grateful."
Boyd plans to debut a Pops Gut food truck in the near future. His greatest motivation, he said, is his late grandmother Lillian Glenn, a former Enquirer staff writer.
"I wish she was here to witness as well," Boyd said.
Other award winners during Saturday's mac and cheese festival included New Holland Brewing Co. (People's Choice Extreme Mac and Cheese), Sunrise Cafe (People's Choice Loaded Mac and Cheese) and Ms. Coleman's (Judges' Choice Extreme Mac and Cheese).
The Big Cheese was made possible by Penetrator Events, the Battle Creek Small Business Development Office and Kellogg Arena.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0