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Home»LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS»2025 Mac & Cheese Festival raises $60K for Boys & Girls Clubs
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS

2025 Mac & Cheese Festival raises $60K for Boys & Girls Clubs

Niceville.comMarch 23, 2025Updated:March 24, 20252 Mins Read
A smiling group from Recess After Dark celebrates with a trophy at the 7th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival at Destin Commons.
The Recess After Dark team celebrates their victory at the 7th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival at Destin Commons, where they took home multiple awards for their mac and cheese creations. (Contributed)

DESTIN, Fla. — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast has announced that the 7th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival, held on March 16 at Destin Commons, raised $60,000 to support youth programs across the region.

“Our 7th Mac & Cheese Festival was a phenomenal success, far surpassing our hopes,” said Shervin Rassa, chief executive officer of The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended, our talented culinary participants, Destin Commons, and our generous sponsors. Because of you, we’re able to continue making a lasting impact on our kids. We’re already excited to plan an even bigger 8th year!” said Ms Rassa,

The festival featured gourmet variations of mac and cheese from local chefs and restaurants, with winners selected in three categories.

Winners

People’s Choice:
1st Place: Recess After Dark
2nd Place: LESGO Chef
3rd Place: Boathouse

Kids’ Choice:
1st Place: Recess After Dark
2nd Place: Jackacuda’s
3rd Place: Longhorn Steakhouse

Judges’ Choice:
1st Place: Fudpucker’s
2nd Place: LESGO Chef
3rd Place: Recess After Dark

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The event also included culinary competitors such as Fresh Cravez, Holi, Cantina Laredo, I Heart Mac & Cheese, Emerald Coast Vibe, and more.

Organizers credited sponsors, including Starpoint Screening, Cox Communications, Publix Charities, Emerald Coast Insurance Agency/Dairyland, Shalimar Fence, Higginbotham Insurance, Eglin Federal Credit Union, and several others, for making the event possible.

The funds raised will support programs focused on academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles for more than 5,000 youth annually.

A group of smiling people wearing matching pink shirts celebrate with a trophy in front of a sponsor banner at the 7th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival at Destin Commons.
The team from Recess After Dark celebrates after winning multiple awards at the 7th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival at Destin Commons, which raised $60,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. (Contributed)
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