2025 Mac & Cheese Bake-Off

Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce the results of the 11th Annual Mac & Cheese Bake-Off featuring ‘Anything Pasta’ fundraiser, presented by Full Circle Real Estate Group, held on Thursday, July 24th at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort Pavilion. With more than 200 people in attendance, and thanks to the generosity and support of our incredible community, we raised almost $25,000.00 to benefit affordable housing in Chaffee County. A special congratulations goes out to John DiGirolamo, winner of the Individual Category, and to Not the Same Ol’ Food Truck, led by Nicki Hill, who took home the top prize in the Restaurant Category. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the bakers, donors, volunteers, and attendees who made this year’s event such a memorable and successful event. Thank you, Chaffee County!

Eleven restaurant competitors and nine individuals vied for the people’s choice. For the attendees, there was an assortment of macaroni and cheese, as well as a variety of pasta recipes to sample. After counting the votes, Not the Same Ol’ Food Truck won the restaurant category with their delicious “Penne con Salsa Cremosa al Chipotle e Pollo”, K’s Dairy Delite came in second, and Jan’s Restaurant received third place. John DiGirolamo returned from his previous second-place win to earn first place in the individual category with his special “Bolzano Mac N Cheese”; second place went to Connor Hurley, and third place to Samuela Orth-Moore. This year’s first, second, and third-place winners in each category were awarded Visa gift cards and certificates of recognition. Congratulations to all of the 2025 winners!

Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity would especially like to recognize and thank our generous sponsors for their vital support of this event:
Title Sponsor: Full Circle Real Estate Group
Diamond Sponsor: JV Food Shop
Platinum Sponsors: Mountain View Custom Homes, S&T Construction, and Sushi Thai BV
Gold Sponsors: Anupa Wellness, Collegiate Peaks Bank, Griz 2 Auto Parts/NAPA Auto Parts, K’s Dairy Delight, Monarch Mountain, Our Town Medical, and Peakview Mortgage
Silver Sponsors: Hi Valley Supply, High Country Metals, Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply, and Sangre de Cristo Electric Association

We’d also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our trade sponsors who donated in-kind services and items to the event. We truly appreciate Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort for their wonderful hospitality, and to DJ the DJ for providing music and sound throughout the evening. A big thank you to Heart of the Rockies Radio for promoting the event with their advertising efforts, and to PSH Signs & Graphics for producing the banners that welcomed guests. We are also grateful to Elevation Beer Company and Rally Liquor for their beer and wine donations, Elkhorn Pizzeria for providing the savory salad, City Market for donating the delicious sheet cakes, and Merrifield’s Garden Hut and Greenhouse for the beautiful table centerpieces.

This year’s silent auction featured a wide variety of unique items and curated packages donated by local businesses, artists, and community members. Some of the standout auction items included a Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Stay-and-Soak package, a wine and dine package at the Surf Hotel, rafting trips and adventures, gift baskets, tools, and many more exciting offerings that drew strong participation throughout the auction.

This event would not have been possible without the hard work, generosity, and dedication of our local community. We are already looking forward to next year, so mark your calendar for the 12th Annual Mac & Cheese Bake-Off Fundraiser in July 2026! For more information about Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity, follow us on social media and check our website