POTSDAM -- The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC) recently hosted its inaugural North Country Mac & Cheese Cook-Off, deeming it a successful fundraiser for the nonprofit organization.

The event – held Saturday, Nov. 9, at Clarkson University’s Cheel Arena – raised $3,000. Proceeds will benefit the services provided by the VTC for the people of St. Lawrence County.

Nine teams participate in the cook-off, showing off their culinary skills with their best recipes for macaroni and cheese. Winners of the cook-off were as follows: First Place (Professional) - Island Bay Pier House, Clayton; First Place (Amateur) - Clarkson University student Te-Ree Smith, Potsdam; People's Choice Award - The Macaroni Mamas (Volunteer Transportation Center Drivers), Canton; Best Dressed - The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence, Canton; and Best Decorated - Seaway Career & Technical Education Center, Norwood.

Each winning team was presented with a framed certificate and cash award. Judges for this year’s event were Barb Heller, North Country Public Radio host; Alex Hammond, Town of Waddington Supervisor; and Lee Hinkleman, author of the food blog “Eating in Upstate New York and Beyond.”

The event was modeled after the VTC’s annual North Country Chili Cook-Off, which has been held in Watertown for the past 20 years. That event, which benefits services in Jefferson County, raises approximately $40,000 each year.