NOLITA – Besides Thanksgiving turkey, there’s no more celebrated food event than the Big Cheesy. Six New York chefs remix the grilled cheese with embellishments like pulled pork, candied bacon, and smoked mushrooms. All the while, Goose Island pours lagers and you decide who’s best like Ramsey Michel and Anton Ego. Since 2011, NYC’s most promising foodie startups sharpen their knives here – including Melt Shop, Little Muenster, Milk Shop and Lucy’s Whey. Last year, upstart 5 Oz. Factory beat out the competition with a grilled mushroom, asparagus, provolone, brie, horseradish number. Alex Mitow’s All-American Diner took second with garlic-buttered challah, pastrami and chipotle apple aioli.
This Saturday and Sunday, from 12-7pm, the Big Cheesy descends on Openhouse 201 Mulberry St. Contenders include FAME by Alex Mitow, Sons of Essex, Hudson Common, Park Ave’s Eggs Travaganza, Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen from Prospect Heights and Queen’s Twist and Smash’d empire. Tickets are $30, time slots are one hour and the ping pong balls are the same color as cheddar, baby. GET TICKETS
Saturday and Sunday
Jan 24 and 25
12-7pm
Openhouse 201 Mulberry
$30 per ticket includes six grilled cheese tastings and two Goose Island beers. Guests vote for their favorite and crown the winner of the People’s Choice Awards. A portion of proceeds go to Food Bank for NYC.