What is it that makes Mac and Cheese so culturally significant in the United States, and when did the love affair between Americans and macaroni and cheese begin?
Food historian Adrian Miller points out that while Thomas Jefferson is often credited with popularizing the dish it was his enslaved black chef James Hemmings who first learned to prepare it and serve it to his guests.
It can be said that mac and cheese has been around since the start of American history and gained popularity in modern industrialized times as a quick and easy comfort food.
Many of us grew up eating it but it’s likely that not many of us have had it with real cheese and not the powdered cheese from the box. Macaroni and cheese’ preparation and flavor are as varied as are Americans themselves.
Mac and Cheese History
According to Rizer’s Pork and Produce, the earliest recorded recipe for mac and cheese dates to 1769 in northern Europe.
According to Historynet, the earliest known recipe dates to an Italian cookbook called liber de coquina from the 13th century, and it lists a dish called de lasanis.
Food Festivals
In modern times, Americans love to spotlight their favorite dishes, and what better way than a food festival.
The most popular Mac and Cheese event in the country is the Hudson Valley Mac and Cheese Festival 9. Saturday, April 26th, 2025, 1-5pm VIP entrance at 1130 am, Kids 12 and under get in free at Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville, NY and it is one of many food festivals bought to you by famousfoodevents.com.
“We had a vision of doing a mac & cheese festival at the highest level” said Angelo Notaro Jr and event GM Donny Nap “and nine years later, it’s gotten bigger, better and creamier!”
Showcase
This event will showcase the best Mac and Cheese from restaurants, food trucks and caterers. The competition is for the best overall Mac and Cheese, best BBQ and meat, and seafood.
This year’s musical line up is, The Hey Now’s party band and DJ Anthony Mangini a noted Freestyle DJ from NYC who will be making his debut at Brotherhood.
Also, Horror Fiction writer Russell W Dickson will be doing a book signing for his hit novella, Children Shouldn’t Play with the Dead.
“We’ve been nominated five years in a row for best food festival in the Hudson Valley by the Poughkeepsie Journal, The Record online, and Hudson Valley magazine and it sells out just about every year,” said event organizer Angelo Notaro Jr.
The winery dates back to 1839 and has tasting and VIP areas and an amazing backdrop.
Sponsors include Gutter Brothers of New York, IHeartRadio, Jarritos since 1950, the official soft drink of Famous Food Events.
Famousfoodevents.com is the only way to purchase event tickets.
Russell W Dickson is also the author of the hit novella, The Man Next Door.
