Mac & Cheese Festival brings in big bucks for local club kids

The 6th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival held March 10 at Destin Commons pulled in $60,000 in support of all local club kids.    The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.  

"Our sixth Mac & Cheese Festival was a huge success and thoroughly outperformed our expectations,” said Shervin Rassa, chief executive officer of The Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast. 

“We are extremely thankful to all who attended, all of our cooking participants, Destin Commons, and all of our sponsors for making this year's event amazing. Every cent raised through this event will make an impact on the over 5,000 youth we serve on an annual basis,” Rassa said. 

“Our team is already working on next year’s event. We look forward to an amazing seventh year,” Rassa said. 

This family-friendly event featured gourmet, chef-inspired twists on the south’s favorite comfort food while local restaurants competed for the best mac and cheese in town.   Award winners are as follows:  

Judge's Choice: Ruby Slipper Destin 

People's Choice: Jackacuda's Seafood and Sushi  

Kids Choice: Emerald Coast Vibe