MTSU Homecoming Cook-Off Crowns Mac and Cheese Winner
Greek organizations and campus groups competed in a mac and cheese and chili contest during MTSU homecoming week.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Food and Drink
MTSU homecoming week kicked off with a mac and cheese and chili cook-off on Nov. 3, hosted by the Student Government Association. Fraternities, sororities and other campus organizations, mostly from Greek life, competed while a panel of seven judges rated the dishes.
Why it matters
The event gives student organizations a visible, shared tradition during homecoming and draws campus attention to student-led activities. The competition also shows how recipe experimentation is part of the campus social calendar in Murfreesboro.
Seven judges scored entries on presentation, taste, texture and uniqueness, while one chili recipe took about two weeks to develop. The overall winner will not be named until Party in the Grove on Nov. 7.
The players
Student Government Association
The student government body at Middle Tennessee State University that organizes campus events and hosted the homecoming cook-off.
Middle Tennessee State University
A public university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that hosted its homecoming week activities including the cook-off.
The details
Fraternities and sororities set up tables, chairs and wooden cutouts of their Greek letters for the outdoor nighttime event. Some competitors used Cheez-its as breading and blended six cheeses into their noodles, while Alpha Tau Omega layered two cheeses to achieve a cheese pull.
Timeline
Nov. 3, 2026: Mac and cheese and chili cook-off held during MTSU homecoming week.
Nov. 7, 2026: Cook-off winner to be announced at Party in the Grove.
Campus Tradition
The cook-off sets up the winner announcement at Party in the Grove, a recurring MTSU homecoming tradition that anchors the week's social calendar. It extends that tradition by adding a food competition led by campus organizations.
Students and visitors can attend Party in the Grove on Nov. 7 to learn which organization won the cook-off. The event is part of MTSU homecoming week activities open to the campus community.
The takeaway
Campus food competitions can build community across student organizations through shared recipes and friendly rivalry. Homecoming traditions like this one give students a reason to gather beyond the classroom.
What happens next
The winner of the mac and cheese and chili cook-off will be announced at Party in the Grove on Nov. 7, 2026.
Further reading
For more local dining coverage, see Food and Drink in Murfreesboro.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MTSU Sidelines.
