2026 Mac & Cheese Festival Judging Panel
The Mac & Cheese Festival celebrates your favorite childhood dish by featuring variations carefully prepared by local chefs who will be competing for the coveted Golden Noodle Award. A panel of six culinary experts and notary chefs will be judging during the event based on a set judging rubric. The chef with the best overall score will take home the Golden Noodle Award. Event attendees award the People's Choice award via a QR code on the event map that they receive at the check-in location.
Aaron Fish
Executive Head Chef and Former Chopped Participant
Hailing originally from Napa Valley CA, Aaron Fish moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2008 and never looked back. Currently Chef of Eat Good Group as well as a content creator, he continues his passion for food daily by sourcing sustainably and consistently honing his craft and culinary team and making tasty snacks.
Dana Bellefeuille
The Village Bakery
Dana Bellefeuille is a special needs bakery owner and sourdough specialist with years of hands-on experience in recipe development, flavor balancing, and artisan food production. Known for her attention to detail and commitment to quality ingredients, Dana brings a trained palate and a deep appreciation for comfort-food craftsmanship to the judging table. She loves celebrating creativity in the kitchen and is excited to help crown this year’s Golden Noodle Award.
Keith Boe
North Idaho Cuisine
Former Director of Sizzle & Cuisine Magazine and founder of North Idaho Life (178k followers) & North Idaho Cuisine (38k followers), chef and former restaurateur who’s claim to fame is he once cooked for Gordon Ramsay.
Larry Phelps
Executive Head Chef & Two-time People's Choice Champion
After an exciting career holding executive chef positions in acclaimed restaurants across Washington and Coeur d’Alene, Chef Larry Phelps has taken his culinary talents on the road, cooking for world-renowned musicians during their Pacific Northwest tours. Recent collaborations include serving backstage meals for Pink, Pearl Jam, Tyler Childers, and Korn, blending his signature style with the unique demands of life on tour. Chef Larry is excited to return to the festival stage, ready to celebrate one of the most beloved comfort foods with fellow mac & cheese enthusiasts!
Mark Bertram
Beverly's Grill Master
Mark has worked at the Coeur d'Alene Resort for 45 years. At age 62, Mark works as the Grill Master and has the privilege of cooking hundreds of high quality steaks every week at Beverly’s. He has won several culinary contests over the years but no longer has the time to compete. However, he enjoys serving as a judge for local culinary competitions. He makes and sells his own brand of salsa and Manch, a roasted jalapeño ranch dip. A devoted family man, he is part of a family of ten and enjoys camping and hosting family game nights.
Tim Mitchell
Founder & CEO of Mangia Catering
Tim Mitchell is Chef Founder and CEO of Mangia Catering Company. Tim is a hospitality entrepreneur specializing in luxury private dining and experiential catering throughout the Inland Northwest. His team's work blends classic technique with modern hospitality, and Mangia's chef-driven menus can be found at weddings, corporate events, and intimate private dinners across Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Known for his culinary creativity and elevated palate, Tim is excited to put his tasting skills to work on the most important culinary debate of our time: who makes the best Mac in Coeur d'Alene!
