COEUR d’ALENE — Downtown eateries had their eye on one prize Saturday afternoon.

Over 20 locally renowned chefs were after the coveted Golden Noodle, which will be awarded to the chef whose macaroni and cheese creation proves most popular with the around 2,000 attendees of Saturday’s annual Mac and Cheese festival.

Last year, Seasons of Coeur d’Alene was the big winner.

“We’re going for round two!” said Paige Doyle with Seasons.

Other eateries were equally motivated to win.

“It’s one of those things that I just have to win,” said Bardenay Restaurant chef Ken Glessner. “Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s a crowd pleaser.”

Saturday’s offerings were no ordinary mac and cheese dishes.

Many featured smoked meats, artisan cheeses, drizzles of scratch-made sauces and unique flavor profiles.

Saturday marked the popular festival’s seventh year, and many attendees have been coming every year for about as long as the event has been around.

“We’re literally in Coeur d’Alene for the festival,” said Stacia Cunningham of West Richmond, Wash.

Cunningham, along with her friends and family, have been collecting the commemorative beer glasses from the festival for five years. They use them throughout the year for iced coffee.

Saturday’s festival was equally enjoyed by locals.

“I’m pregnant, and mac and cheese has been a big craving — so this is perfect!” said Raechel Ortman of Coeur d’Alene.

Despite the air of competition, the chefs were certainly not missing out on the fun.

“We’re getting lots of good feedback,” said Dan Wright of Drummin’ Up BBQ Catering. “It’s a great event.”  

    Drummin' Up BBQ Catering drew a crowd with their pepperjack mac and cheese brisket bowl during Saturday's Mac and Cheese Festival in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    Seasons of Coeur d'Alene served a flavorful cold-smoked white cheddar and gouda mac and cheese as they eyed the Golden Noodle during Saturday's Mac and Cheese Festival in Coeur d'Alene.