2026
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out and made this year’s Mac & Cheese Smackdown an unforgettable, sold-out success! 🧀🎉 We are incredibly grateful for the support of the U of T community and their donations to U of T’s United Way Campaign! Together, we raised funds from ticket sales and donations.
Big shout-out to our amazing teams—S&E Residence Dining, Trinity College, UTSC Food, St. George Catering, and Hart House—this event wouldn’t have been possible without your mac-nificent creations!
🏆 Judge’s Choice & People’s Choice:
Team S&E Residence Dining, with their bold and flavourful Lime-Infused BBQ Chicken Mac!
Thanks again for your support, and stay tuned for more delicious events!
our gallery
Say ‘Cheese!’
Get ready U of T…
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown is back!
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown is returning for its 13th annual competition, bringing bold flavours, creative twists, and delicious rivalry to campus.
Watch as some of your favourite U of T chefs battle it out in the ultimate Mac ‘n’ Cheese face-off with their own original, signature creation. Taste your way through the competition, cheer on your favourites, and cast your vote to help decide who takes home the People’s Choice Award!
Thursday, March 26, 2026
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Great Hall at Hart House
SOLD OUT!
Ticket Price: $10
Includes samples from all entries! Proceeds will be donated to United Way Greater Toronto.
Choose your time slot – buy early for your preferred selection!
Tickets will be sold in staggered entry time slots to manage event flow. Purchase early to get your preferred time: 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 1:00 PM
Tickets can only be purchased on the U of T Mobile Order App.
Why should I attend?
Here are five great reasons why you need to attend this event:
- Join one of the most anticipated food events of the year! All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to the Great Hall at Hart House to attend this event.
- For just $10, you’ll get to sample five unique chef-crafted Mac ‘n’ Cheese dishes.
- Have your say! Cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award and help crown our 2026 Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown champion.
- Every ticket supports United Way Greater Toronto, so you can indulge knowing your purchase is making a real impact in our community.
- Don’t miss our Mac ’n’ Cheese Smackdown pop-up shop featuring must-have event merchandise, which includes brand-new items you won’t find anywhere else.
A vegetarian option of each dish will be available.
competition
Meet the teams
Team S&E Residence Dining
Led by
Chef Amy, Chef Olivia, and Chef Colin
Winner
Team Trinity
College
Led by
Chef Nathan
Team
UTSC
Food
Led by
Chef Leroy
Team St. George Catering
Led by
Chef Dale
Team
Hart
House
Led by
Chef Lance
pop-up shop
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown collection
Don’t miss your chance to grab Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown gear and limited throwback favourites from Street Food Smackdown and Taco Takedown!
Can I buy the tickets at the location?
This is a cashless event and tickets can ONLY be purchased through the U of T Mobile Order app. Detailed instructions on how to get the app can be found below. Your ticket includes samples from all four teams.
Tickets are NOT available at the location and have to be purchased in advance. Since the tickets are limited and we always SELL-OUT, it’s a good idea to buy your tickets soon.
What does my ticket include?
For just $10, you get to enjoy FIVE portions of carefully crafted Mac ‘n’ Cheese made by our campus chefs.
AND that’s not all! You also get to contribute towards a good cause, proceeds from your $10 ticket price goes directly to the University of Toronto United Way Campaign!
But what if I want to give more?
Well, we thought about that (since we know how generous our U of T community is!) and have provided an ADD ON option in the app to donate additional funds to the United Way. You can add $2, $5 or $10 to your ticket cost to top up your donation amount!
How do I purchase tickets on the app?
Open the U of T Mobile Order App and select “Mac and Cheese Office”. Select the timeslot you would like and pay using your meal plan Dining Dollars or Campus Flex Dollars, TBucks, or a credit card! Please note that only one ticket per transaction is allowed – additional tickets will need to be purchased on a separate order. Thank you and see you there!
Don’t have the app yet?
Download the U of T Mobile Order app in two easy steps:
Step 1
Download the Transact Mobile Ordering app:
or on
Step 2
Select your campus by choosing the
University of Toronto.
Use your meal plan Dining Dollars or Campus Flex Dollars, TBucks, or a credit card and start ordering!
location
Join us on March 26 for the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown at the Great Hall at Hart House, 7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3.
Please note: Transportation is one of the leading contributors of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. To actively reduce transportation-related emissions, we encourage attendees to utilize lower carbon modes of transportation, such as public transit and car sharing.
Our Mac ‘n’ Cheese Instagram wall
#UofTSmackdown
Introducing the final Smackdown competitor! 🔥
Team Hart House, led by Chef Lance, is entering the Mac ’n’ Cheese Smackdown for the first time with a Creamy Ricotta Mac & Cheese with Lemon Zest and Agrodolce Pepper Drops. Expect creamy, cheesy, and just the right pop of flavour in every bite.
With chefs from across @uoft competing, this year’s Smackdown is shaping up to be one you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are almost SOLD OUT - click the link in our bio or visit uoft.me/macandcheese to get yours today.
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices #uoftfood
Introducing our next Smackdown competitor 🧀🔥
Team UTSC Food, led by Chef Leroy, is bringing serious flavour to the Mac ’n’ Cheese Smackdown with a Loaded Duck Confit Mac & Cheese. It’s Chef Leroy’s first time competing, and he’s coming in strong with a dish that’s as indulgent as it is unforgettable.
Only one team will take home the title, and it all goes down on March 26!
Tickets are over 50% SOLD OUT — click the link in our bio or visit uoft.me/macandcheese to get yours today.
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices #uoftfood
We’re excited to welcome Liz ( @plated.by.liz ) to the judging panel at Mac ’n’ Cheese Smackdown 2026! 🧀
A @uoftdentistry alum and finalist on @masterchefcda Season 8, Liz is known for her creative dishes and passion for great food. We can’t wait to have her join us as she helps decide which team’s mac creation rises to the top.
Get your tickets for the Smackdown on March 26 - click the link in our bio or visit uoft.me/macandcheese to get yours today.
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices #uoftfood
Meet the First Team Battling for Mac ’n’ Cheese Glory! 🧀🔥
Introducing Team St. George Catering, led by Chef Dale! They’re bringing a Mac & Cheese Fritter topped with Truffled Boursin Cream Sauce and a Peach Spritzer to the competition...a crispy, creamy creation that’s ready to take on the Smackdown.
Stay tuned as we introduce more teams leading up to Mac ’n’ Cheese Smackdown on March 26!
Tickets are still available — click the link in our bio or visit uoft.me/macandcheese to get yours today.
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices #uoftfood
🧀 G I V E A W A Y 🧀 #UofTEngineering students, we’ve got something cheezy for you today!
In honour of #UofT’s annual Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown — happening Thursday, March 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Great Hall, harthouseuoft — we’re giving away a prize pack for one lucky winner.
The winner will receive:
✨ Two passes to Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown
✨ Exclusive Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown merch including: Pins, Socks, Lanyard, Sweatshirt, T-Shirt
TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Follow uoftengineering and uoft_food
2️⃣ In the comments, tag the friend you’d bring with you and tell us how you like your mac ‘n’ cheese in one word or emoji 🧀🔥🥓🌶️
🎫 Limited tickets are also available for $10 on the U of T Mobile Order App. More info: uoft.me/macandcheese
⏰ Enter before 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, March 16.
The winner will be selected at random, announced on this post and notified via DM. Prizes will be delivered in person at the event on March 26.
Rules: Open to University of Toronto students only. By entering, participants acknowledge this contest is not sponsored, administered by or associated with Instagram. Full rules: uofteng.ca/giveaways
#UofTSmackdown
Are you ready for the ultimate Mac ‘n’ Cheese face-off on campus? 🧀👀 Join U of T Food Services and @harthouseuoft for Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown on Thursday, March 26, from 11:30 AM - 2 PM at the Great Hall, Hart House!
🎟️ Tickets are $10 on the U of T Mobile Order App and include FIVE Mac ‘n’ Cheese samples! Plus, proceeds from your ticket purchase will go to support the University of Toronto United Way Campaign.
Get your tickets now at uoft.me/macandcheese!
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown 2026 is here!
The ultimate cheesy showdown is back 🧀🔥 Watch as FIVE teams battle it out to create the most delicious Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and you get to taste and vote for your favourite!
For the next 3 days only, grab your tickets with $3 OFF! 🎟️ Don’t miss this special early access deal - click the link in our bio or visit uoft.me/macandcheese to get yours now!
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices #uoftfood
🧀 The cheesiest competition on campus is back! 🧀
Mac ’n’ Cheese Smackdown returns for its 13th year 🔥 Who will take home the cheddar this time? Stay tuned for all the delicious details.
📲 Download the U of T Mobile Order App to stay up to date on event news and ticket sales!
#UofTSmackdown #uoft #uoftfoodservices #uoftfood
