Our Place set to launch month-long macaroni and cheese charity cook-off in Victoria

Our Place set to launch month-long macaroni and cheese charity cook-off in Victoria
Hermes Rivera / Unsplash
Local Victoria restaurants will be coming up with specialty macaroni and cheese dishes, available this month, for a fundraiser with Our Place.

Roasted pepper and chipotle, smoked mozzarella, butternut–blue cheese – these are just a few combinations of specialty macaroni and cheese recipes that can get foodies salivating.

This month, a collection of local Victoria restaurants will be coming up with their own chef-inspired specialty mac and cheese options for hungry mouths to taste. But there is more to it than just deliciously cheesy meals.

The campaign, which runs from Aug. 8 to Sept. 8, is part of a fundraising initiative by Our Place Society. COVID-19 resulting in the postponement of Our Place’s annual Hungry Hearts foodie fundraiser, so instead, the Victoria-based charity opted to find the best macaroni and cheese dish in the city.

Participating restaurants will add a specialty macaroni and cheese item to their menu –not just your typical Kraft Dinner bowl either. Customers are then able to try the various dishes over the month of August, voting for their favourites.

“Hungry Hearts has always been about great food,” says Our Place Chief Executive Officer Julian Daly. “And we love the idea of partnering with our region’s amazing chefs to allow even more people to join in the fun with a unique culinary contest.”

The results will be announced during an Our Place Hungry Hearts Virtual Gala on Saturday, Sept. 12, hosted live at 5 p.m.

The virtual Hungry Hearts gala will raise money for the Island’s most vulnerable residents, funding outreach paramedics, medical supplies, extended hours for Our Place and other resources. The organization said, however, that an event of this nature is intended to benefit the service community as well.

“The hotel and restaurant industry has been so supportive of the work we do, and they’ve been hit hard by this health crisis, too,” added Daly. “This contest will allow us to give back to them, while also raising much-needed funds to support our most vulnerable citizens.”

According to Our Place, the live-streamed event on Sept. 12 will include musical performances, a culinary demonstration from last year’s Hungry Hearts champion, auctions and a special Q & A session with Our Place’s new CEO.

Participating restaurants who will be creating specialty macaroni dishes include:

  • Aura Restaurant
  • Heron Rock Bistro
  • Crooked Goose Bistro
  • 10 Acres
  • Il Covo
  • Boondocks
  • Courtney Room
  • Frankie’s Modern Diner
  • Spinnakers
  • Virtuous Pie
  • Irish Times Pub
  • Chuck’s Burger Bar
  • Smuggler’s Cove Pub
  • Boom and Batten
  • Darcy’s Pub (West Shore)

Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a delicious fundraiser!

For more information on Hungry Hearts 2020, visit https://www.ourplacesociety.com/get-involved/hungry-hearts-2020

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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