Contest details
Every year since its inception in 2022, New York Agriculture in the Classroom invites students in Pre-K through 12th grade to participate in their Mac & Cheese Challenge. The challenge highlights the importance of the dairy industry in New York State, which produces more than one billion pounds of cheese annually.
The contest encourages students to develop and perfect a macaroni and cheese recipe, create marketing materials for their product, and to learn about the local dairy processing industry as well as career opportunities in that field. By participating, students develop an understanding of core concepts in math, science, and English Language Arts.
Students are allowed to work in groups, as a classroom, or collaboratively with other classrooms. There are four divisions of the competition: Primary (Pre-K through 2nd grade), Intermediate (3rd-5th grade), Middle School (6th-8th grade) and High School (9th-12th grade).
Pre-registration is required for each division. To meet contest requirements, each entry must include an original macaroni and cheese recipe that includes dairy products, photos of the final product, and effective marketing elements, including a product slogan. Participants also have the option to submit photos of students participating in the challenge.
Contest submissions were due on November 27 and winners were announced on December 19. Prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the amounts of $250, $100, and $50 respectively.
The 5th grade Davis submission
Students throughout New York state submitted more than 230 entries in the intermediate division of the competition. Like cream rising to the top, the 5th grade students at Davis Elementary were awarded 1st place for their submission of bacon alfredo “mac and cheesy” with garlic bread croutons.
The 5th grade team integrated the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Into Reading curriculum program into the contest, while discussions focused on invention versus innovation as a part of the science curriculum.
Students and faculty put many hours of hard work into their recipe, starting with brainstorming ideas that were put to vote at their Open House on October 17. Parents were asked to cast ballots for their favorite recipe from the following choices: Spicy (Taki) Mac, Fried Pickle Mac, Fresh Mozzarella Mac, Bacon Alfredo Mac and Cheese with Garlic Bread Topping, and Taco Mac.
Voters ultimately chose the Bacon Alfredo Mac and Cheese with Garlic Bread Topping. The 5th grade team decided their marketing slogan would be “Sizzle, pop, creamy, melty, cheesy – come on down, try mac and cheesy.” The students got especially creative and produced a jingle to market their product.
Students studied how cheese is made and explored various careers within the agricultural industry, which include a wheat breeder, veterinarian, and health inspector. The team decided to feature Cabot cheeses in their recipe. Cabot is locally sourced at Carsada Dairy Dairy, LLC in Malone, NY.
Presenting to Mrs. Boulais from Bokie’s Drive In
Following their big win, Addison Duso, a student from the 5th grade team, composed a letter to Mrs. Carrie Boulais, the owner of a popular and supportive local business, Bokie’s Drive-In. On Monday, February 3, Mrs. Boulais will join the 5th grade students and staff in the gymnasium at Davis Elementary for a student presentation. The students plan to ask Mrs. Boulais questions about owning a business and whether she would consider adding their recipe as a special on her menu.