Dig into some comfort food when the Merchants Association of Columbia (MAC) hosts its second annual Mac and Cheese Fest. It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at 6 p.m. at Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St.

Thirteen vendors will participate in the competition, which invites the public to sample 2-ounce portions of macaroni and cheese from local restaurants and chefs. Participants will be Hinkle's Restaurant, Black Olive Family Diner, The Golden Whisk, Parma Pizza & Grill, Starview Brews, Bully's Restaurant and Pub, Rose's Deli and More, Union Station Grill, Prince Street Cafe, Griddles Malt Shoppe, Taco To Go, Chef Lex and South Lime Restaurant.

People will receive a tray with sample cups of each version of mac and cheese, said Daisy Pagan, vice president of MAC. "It's a blind contest, so nobody knows which participant is which," she explained. "Each sample will have a number, and people will receive a scorecard to vote on their favorite."

Categories will include texture, flavor, appearance and cheesiest.

The winner will receive a "big cheese" trophy, Pagan said, noting that it's in the shape of a piece of cheese. Trophies will also be awarded for first, second and third runners-up.

Last year's winner, The Golden Whisk, is back to defend its title, Pagan noted, adding that Bully's took first runner-up last year.

The idea for the festival began as part of a Discover Columbia event held in the town last year as a way to bring people into Columbia. "I wanted an event for that, and I thought about chili, but somebody else was doing a chili cook-off, so I thought, 'What's another comfort food?' and I thought of macaroni and cheese," Pagan remarked. "What's better than mac and cheese?"

It was so popular last year that organizers worried they might run out of food, but they were able to feed everyone. "We sold over 300 tickets last year," Pagan recalled.

The mission of MAC is to increase foot traffic in Columbia, Pagan noted, adding that proceeds from the Mac and Cheese Fest will support the organization.

"We fund Fourth Fridays in Columbia," she explained. "Every Fourth Friday is themed, and we try very hard to make sure the merchants are not having to put money out to participate." MAC also operates a stand at the Market House that members are allowed to use once a month free of charge, so money from the fest will support that as well.

Pagan encourages everyone to come out to the Mac and Cheese Fest, noting that it's a chance to sample a large portion for a small price.

"You might think 2 ounces isn't a lot of food, but last year, we only had seven participants, and I could not finish all seven samples," she said. "It's a whole lot of food."

Vendors in the Columbia Market House will be encouraged to stay open during the fest for people to purchase additional food or drinks, and MAC will sell sodas and water.

Tickets for the Mac and Cheese Fest will only be available at the door.