DEERFIELD, Mass. — Preparing macaroni and cheese is a daily labor of love for Historic Deerfield's Chef Charlie, but on National Mac and Cheese Day, making the perfect dish comes with a little more meaning.

"National Mac and Cheese Day is our Super Bowl here at Champney's," said Champney's Restaurant & Tavern's Chef Charlie. "You come visit us here we have our mac and cheese and we have our daily mac and cheese that we run throughout our menu lunch and dinner."

The kitchen prepared Chicken & Bacon, smoked brisket with blue cheese, as well as Lobster mac and cheese Friday at Champney's Restaurant and Tavern at the Deerfield Inn. 

Chef Charlie said one of the most important parts of the cooking process is having all the right ingredients.

"Each restaurant is going to have their signature cheese sauce," he said. "So here at Champney's we have a gruyere, parmesan and sharp cheddar base, so that's the basis of our cheese that we make here." 

Charlie said he's been celebrating National Mac and Cheese Day for years, but his love for the hot meal goes back to childhood.

"My passion for mac and cheese really came from my parents," he said. "And these are one of the staples in the house for having a snack, mac and cheese or a meal."

Charlie said many ingredients like the cheese and the corn used in some versions come from local farms.

He said being a part of a national event is also special.

"This time of year is really special here in the valley and Massachusetts, because the valley is really starting to explode with local produce," he said.  "And it gives everyone a little more variety to pick and choose from and really cater your mac and cheese for what you'd like to do."