New Yorkers like to eat, but San Franciscans like to cook. And cook they did at the SF Food Wars competition, where passionate chefs dished up the thick and creamy American classic, mac and cheese.
Last Sunday, twenty competitors lined up behind sternos and foil tubs at The Stable Cafe as ticket holders stormed in, fork in hand and ready to eat. There was mac with crab, vegan mac, duck fat n’ mac, mac pies, porkrind mac and even mac with black truffles and pancetta. But the mac that won my vote was Vandouvan mac and cheese, by Ursula Ayrout of Jane Spice. Ursula’s dish was a standout. She created a zesty, balanced mac and cheese that was crunchy, hearty and addictive without superfluous ingredients. She used cheddar, gruyere, white bread, flour, milk, butter and a magical spice blend called Vandouvan.
According to Ursula, Vandouvan is a fragrant Indian spice blend with French influence. The 3-hour process used to make it begins with onions, shallots and garlic, and continues with fenugreek seeds, curry leaves, cumin, cardamom and various other strong spices. Instead of being overpowering, Vandouvan helped create a unique mac and cheese while holding true to traditional ingredients. Ursula also got the texture just right – not soupy, dry or overly thick from flour overkill.
Jane Spice is an extremely useful source of flavorful recipes, especially for a cook like me who tends to stick with salt, pepper and red chili flakes.
Ursula’s mac and cheese took home second place for the People’s Choice award. First prize, both for People’s Choice and overall winner, went to Bike Basket Pies for their flaky little pies of mac with blue cheese, walnuts, spinach, shiitakes and apples.
Second billing went to Fat Bottom Girls for their vegan mac and cheese, an ultra creamy mixture of cashews, miso and mustard. I still can’t believe they achieved that texture without butter or cheese – makes me want to try my hand at dairy-free cooking. Rachel Ray Guns scored third place with her Maryland style mac laced with blue crab, and served with a tasty shot of Bloody Mary.
The next SF Food Wars challenge, mini cupcakes, will be held on October 18 also at Stable Cafe. And if it sells out as quickly as this on did, you’ll miss your chance in the crack of a whisk. I scored my spot in line from Foodbuzz – thanks Foodbuzz, did I happen to mention how much I love little cupcakes?
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Holy moly….. both the mac and cheese and the little pies look amazing! I would give anything to try one of those cute little pies!
Sounds like a fun time! I love mac and cheese… I think I might have to make some for dinner tonight, now!
I’m also guilty of getting stuck in my little seasoning box: salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Those spices sound amazing! Also very bold to use such exotic seasonings on such a classic dish. Can’t wait to try it out!
Hi Allison,
Thanks so much for a great recap of the mac and cheese competition and the links to Jane Spice. I love the photos you took.
omg! i’m totally drooling over here!!! is there a website for a calendar of events for the sf food wars challenges?
The website is http://sffoodwars.com, but I don’t see a calendar anywhere. I’ll keep my eyes open and keep you posted.
I’m with the one you picked out, although mac and cheese with pancetta sounds amazing. Mac and cheese is pies is too much for my taste, although they are attractive.
The one with pancetta had great flavor (obviously), but it was really wet, like a mac and cheese soup with pancetta and truffles. Ursula’s was amazing. I really want to try making the vandouvan spice this weekend. I’m sure it would be great on a variety of dishes.
Yum, can I have some, please!? Which one you ask? Hmm…how about all of them?
Sounds like a SUPER yummy event! Your pictures are great! Drool.
Im hungry..
Off topic…but I really love that bracelet!
any chance of finding that vegan mac recipe???
Hi Kate. I can’t seem to find it – but I’m on it! Check back soon and I’ll give you an update. I’d be curious to see it too – it was seriously one of the best vegan dishes I’ve ever had.
It is too bad that I live so far away as I would have loved to gone to that competition. It seems like Mac & Cheese is very similar to Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in that you can do so much with it while still staying true to the basics. It is definitely awesome. Surprisingly, the vegan one sounds good.
The vegan one was good! The winning mac and cheese came in a pie crust – not quite a grilled cheese, but a bit closer! You should start a competition in your neck of the woods.