If there is one thing Austin loves more than live music and tacos, it is a festival dedicated to cheese. Preferably one with a bar. The Austin Mac and Cheese Festival returns on Sunday, November 16 at Star Hill Ranch, and this year it is trading cowboy hats for Hawaiian shirts.
The cheesiest event in Texas is going tropical. Imagine a Jimmy Buffett fever dream directed by Guy Fieri and narrated by Anthony Bourdain after three tiki drinks. Welcome to The 2025 Austin Mac and Cheese Festival: Tropical Edition.
Presented by Austin Food Magazine and Austin Bergstrom International Airport’s Beats, Bites and Flights, this year’s festival is taking a tropical vacation. The theme blends the bold flavors of coastal Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean with Austin’s laid-back energy.
Expect tropical suft and turf cheese creations as if it were dreamed up by Poseidon himself. Expect recipes like Jerk Chicken Mac and Cheese, Mac and Cheesy al Pastor, and maybe even a creative spin on Spam and Pineapple Mac & Cheese.
The Talent Line-up
Over a dozen of Austin’s best chefs, food trucks, and restaurants will compete for the Mac and Cheese Championship Belt, each adding an island twist to the classic comfort dish. Guests can enjoy unlimited tastings, vote for the People’s Choice Award, and watch a panel of celebrity judges crown the Judge’s Champion.
The 2025 lineup includes favorites like The Original Black’s BBQ (2025 winner), Uptown Sports Club, TLC, Guest House, Chic’K Hot Flame, Industry Austin, Waylon J’s Barbeque, MAC’s Mac and Cheese Shop, B-Lux Grill and Bar, Smoky Trio, Delaware North Hospitality, Knotty Deck Kitchen and Bar (2018 winner), Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Ruthie’s Food Truck, Austin International Airport Culinary Team, League Kitchen, Antonelli’s Cheese (VIP lounge), followed by Teal House Bakery, and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream for dessert.
Beverage partners include Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Dulce Vida Tequila, Still Austin Whisky, and Desert Door Texas Sotol, because nothing says paradise like rum’s Texas cousins. They’ll be serving up tropical cocktails that might make you forget your responsibilities.
Bring sunscreen, loose clothes, and the confidence of someone who plans to start their diet after Thanksgiving. The Mac and Cheese Festival is more than a comfort food showdown; it’s a celebration of Austin’s food culture and a reminder that simple food can be extraordinary when creative chefs get their hands on it.
Festival Details
Location: Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave, Texas
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
VIP Entry: 11:00 AM
General Admission: 12:00 PM
Full Line-up
- The Original Black’s BBQ
- Austin International Airport Beats & Eats
- Uptown Sports Club
- TLC
- Guest House
- Chic’K Hot Flame
- Industry Austin
- Waylon J’s Barbeque
- MAC’s Mac and Cheese Shop
- B-Lux Grill and Bar
- Smoky Trio
- Delaware North Hospitality
- Knotty Deck Kitchen and Bar
- Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
- Ruthie’s Food Truck
- Mama Laverne’s Foods
- League Kitchen
- Handel’s Ice Cream
- Teal House Bakery
Beverages:
- Shaved Ice Island
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Dulce Vida Tequila
- Vista Brewing
- Desert Door Sotol
Tickets
VIP Admission – $100 (early tastings and VIP lounge access presented by Austin International Airport)
General Admission – $55 (unlimited tastings and drink pairings)
Kids Admission – $25 (ages four through ten)
- A VIP lounge that feels like a first-class flight to Maui, minus the crying toddlers
- Island games, live music, and photo ops for that perfect “I earned this” caption
- A crowd of cheese lovers who treat lactose intolerance as a mild suggestion
Tickets are on sale now at macncheesefest.com. Follow @macncheesefest and @austinfoodmagazine for lineup drops, giveaways, and other cheesy secrets.