It's pretty simple, right?  Classic.  It's all right there in the name:  Macaroni + Cheese.  Well, not quite.

The JP Mac Off was conceived by Keesha O'Galdez of Gourmet Diva and Sally Swenson of Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp. to assign the "Best Mac + Cheese in JP" bragging rights and to raise money for JPNDC's Small Business Program.

I was working the event Sunday afternoon from a couple of different angles.  My "Mc + Cheese" was a contender in the "Traditional" category and I was covering the event for JP Patch.  I've always been partial to my own recipe (borrowed liberally from Martha Stewart).  I like a complex cheese flavor so I combine cheddar with gruyère and Romano.  I cannot explain why but I prefer to substitute penne for the usual elbow macaroni.  I give it a kick with fresh nutmeg and cayenne pepper and it all gets topped with hand-torn whole wheat croutons.

Turns out, there are a lot of different ways to do even traditional Mac + Cheese.  In fact, there are about as many ways to make it as there are reasons people enjoy it.  On this cold and dark early winter afternoon, the "comfort food contest" attracted a crowd of about 230 people, including a number of kids.  I spoke with many tasters.  Some like their mac gooey, some firm; some preferred a cracker crust, some croutons, some panko.  

"I'm a mac + cheese purist," said Derryl, stating her preference for the traditional dishes.  A few seats over, Rebecca Stewart was enthusiastic about a creative entry that featured maple and bacon. 

The event drew true devotees of this particular culinary art form.  Nicole Desharnais professed to, "A love of Mac + Cheese" that is well-known to friends and family.

"My sister saw it in the JP Gazette.  She said, 'They're having a Mac + Cheese contest—you have to go.'" For some other folks the Mac + Cheese was secondary; they attended mainly to enjoy the community spirit JP is known for or to support a worthy cause.

There was something for everyone who came out.  Of the 16 entries, about half were traditional and half were creative, with various additions like bacon, black beans—even mole!  There was a friendly crowd and a casual, low-key atmosphere at the Irvyl Events Center inside the Boylston Congregational Church.  Attendees could even work on their Christmas lists by shopping with local vendors:  The Lighted Realm, Flauxy and artist Inongé N.  JPNDC was also selling logo t-shirts.

Entries were judged by a panel of experts including Sandee Storey (longtime and now former owner of the JP Gazette), David Warner of City Feed and Supply, Joseph Porcelli of Neighbor for Neighbors and Jessie Taubner, Policy Director for City Councilor Ayanna Pressley.  The judges were asked to consider:  cheesiness, texture, seasoning, overall taste and presentation and, for entries in the creative dishes category, creativity.  Attendees voted for a separate People's Choice Award.

During a brief program, JPNDC's Executive Director, Richard Thal, recognized Sandee Storey for her great contribution to the neighborhood over the years and congratulated her on her retirement.  Both Sandee's and David Warner's businesses benefited from loans and other assistance from JPNDC's Small Business Program.  Warner said City Feed would not be where it is today without JPNDC.

Since the event drew such good attendance and feedback, Thal announced that this would be the First Annual JP Mac-Off.  According to John Stainton, a JPNDC board member, up until now, JPNDC's big event has been the Oktoberfest held annually at the Brewery.

"But this brings out a whole different crowd," Stainton said. "You don't bring your kids for beer and bratwurst."

It was a great event.  I got to see some old friends and make some new ones.  I got to eat a really satisfying dinner.  Best of all, I learned a few things about what I think makes a great Mac + Cheese-- for next year.

JP Neighborhood Development Corp. is a membership organization that develops affordable housing and small retail space (including The Brewery), organizes neighbors around various issues, and supports small business in our community.

And the winners are:

Amateur Traditional Category

• 1^st Place:  Alison Rogers
• 2^nd Place:  Stephany Greene

Amateur Creative Category

• 1^st Place:  Kelly Lydon
• 2^nd Place:  Lisa Fluet

Kids Category

• 1^st Place:  Tyrone Newell and Alex Woo Rainer
• 2^nd Place:  Haley, Jasmyn and Kayla Bos

Professional Category

• 1^st Place:  Sharon Shiner

People's Choice

• Gold: Kelly Lydon
• Silver: Sharon Shiner
• Bronze: Haley, Jasmyn and Kayla Bos