Image by Flickr user Dalboz17

If you consider yourself a macaroni and cheese aficionado or fan in any sense, you'll want to pencil in the 2010 Charleston Mac Off into your calendar on November 12th.

From 7 to 11 p.m. at Downtown Charleston’s Visitor’s Center Bus Shed (375 Meeting Street), Charleston restaurants will engaged in the ultimate battle for the Lowcountry's best Mac n' Cheese recipe. In addition to enjoying one of the greatest comfort foods around, the event will serve as a fundraiser, with a portion of proceeds going to local 501c3’s Charity Charleston Peace One Day’s mission to decrease violence in Charleston through conflict resolution education programming in our local schools.

So, which restaurants will be competing you ask? Virginia's on King, 82 Queen, Home Team BBQ, Poogan's Porch, Smoky Oak Taproom, Roti Rolls, and New Moon Pizzeria and Pub are on the list.

Samples will cost $1 each and will run from 7 to 10 p.m.  Guests will then vote on their favorite mac and cheese and votes will be tabulated.  The winning entry will receive the "Peoples Choice" for The Best Mac & Cheese in Charleston.

As an added bonus, if you're signed up with Groupon.com, today's side deal is Mac Off related. You'll pay just $7 for Two Admission Tickets and $4 Worth of Food Sample Tickets at the 2010 Charleston Mac Off (a $14 Value). You can also find the standard $5 ticket on the event's official website.