Dino's to Host Motown Macdown

Local chefs are ready to get cheesy at the all new . The macaroni and cheese cookoff will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at .

The Macdown isn't all just fun and noodles, however. It also is a benefit for a good cause, Justin's Vision. All the proceeds from ticket sales will go to this new nonprofit, which helps send kids to Give Kids the World Village, a resort in Walt Disney World tailored for ill and disabled children. 

The fundraiser is being spearheaded by , which was inspired by Justin Hermanson, who died of brain cancer in 2004 at the age of 12.

Justin's relationship was highlighted in Children's Hospital's publication, About Children's, in 2006.

“I’m one of the lucky ones," said Dave Zilko in the article, a cancer survivor and partner with Jack Aronson of Garden Fresh Gourmet, "I was only grazed by the cancer bullet.”

Justin’s story has prompted Zilko and Aronson to donate a portion of the proceeds of the company’s salsa sales to Children’s Hospital of Michigan and to become the major supporter of the hospital's Healing Garden.

“Justin was a cousin of one of Jack’s employees at the plant,” said Zilko
in the story. “He was always telling Jack how much his young cousin
liked machinery so Jack offered to give him a tour of Garden Fresh and see the
operation. Justin had a good time and after that we became very close to him
and his family.”

Justin's enthusiasm inspired the creation of the nonprofit and Garden Fresh's creation of this week's new fundraising event.

So far, participants include Chef Brian Polcyn of , Chef Matthew Baldridge of Cliff Bells, Chef Chris Franz of Rattlesnake Club, Brian Perrone of Slow's Bar-B-Q, Chef and CEO Jack Aronson of Garden Fresh Gourmet and Joe Hakim and David Benjamin of The Hungry Dudes.

The evening begins with blues and jazz from the RJ Spangler Trio., and Just Baked are all providing edible goodies to compliment the macaroni and music.

Tickets are on available here. There is a minimum $30 donation.