As you’re fully aware, the Buffalo’s Best Mac and Cheese Challenge kicks off Thursday, with 20 of Western New York’s hottest restaurants battling for the ultimate cheesy title.

Today, Lactalis Foodservice, the event’s sponsor, announced the specific mac and cheese dishes that will be served at nearly every one of the participating eateries. According to a Lactalis rep, here’s what you can expect:

1) Blue Monk:  Recipe name and cheese/s (to come)
2) Chocolate Bar: “Buffalo Chicken Wing Mac & Cheese” (Sorrento Gorgonzola, Roquefort Marival Blue Cheese and Sharp Cheddar) and a “White Chocolate Mac & Cheese”
3) Colter Bay: “Colter’s Chipotle Chorizo Mac & Cheese” (Boule D’or Mimolette, Don Bernardo Manchego, Cheddar and Jack)
4) DBGB:  “Tortilla Mac & Cheese” (Don Bernardo Manchego)
5) Dick & Jenny’s: “Black & Blue Mac & Cheese” (Sorrento Gorgonzola, Galbani Mozzarella and Parmesan)
6) Fat Bob’s: “Fat Bob’s Mac & Cheese” (Sorrento 50/50 Blend Cheddar/Monterey Jack)
7) Fiamma:  Recipe name and cheese/s (to come)
8) John Harvard’s:  “Lobster & Bacon Brew House Mac & Cheese” (Don Bernardo Manchego, Boule D’or Mimolette, 
and President Emmental Swiss)
9) Lagerhaus 95:  “Smoked Gouda with Crispy Duck Truffle Cheddar Panko Topping” (Galbani Mascarpone, Galbani Mozzarella
and Gouda)
10) Le Metro:  Recipe name (to come) (Boule D’or Mimolette)
11) Merge:  “Deep Fried BBQ Mac & Cheese with Gorgonzola Cream and a Shaved Celery and Arugula Salad”
(Sorrento Gorgonzola)
12) O’Brien’s Pub & Smokehouse:  “Smokey Breakfast Mac & Cheese” (Sorrento Provolone)
13) Sample:  Recipe name and cheese/s (to come)
14) Shango: Recipe name (to come) (President Goat Cheese, Gouda, Cheddar and Parmesan)
15) Soho Burger Bar:  “Cheddar Blue Mac & Cheese with Apple Bacon and Scallions” (Boule D’or Mimolette and
Roquefort Marival Blue Cheese)
16) Sole:  “Latin Mac & Cheese” (Don Bernardo Manchengo and Smoked Gouda)
17) Templeton Landing: “Templeton Lobster Mac & Cheese” (President Goat Cheese)
18) The Frog Hair:  Recipe name (to come) (Boule D’or Mimolette, Don Bernardo Manchengo and the Galbani Bel Paese)
19) The Place:  “Veggie Mac & Cheese” and a “Meat Mac & Cheese” (Sorrento Provolone and Asiago)
20) The Roycroft Inn:  Lobster Mac & Cheese with White Truffle (Boule D’or Mimolette, President Emmental Swiss
and President Goat Cheese)

The Mac and Cheese Challenge runs through the entire month of march. For more information on the competitors, voting and how you can win some free gear, visit the the official challenge website.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Christopher Macsurak