Calling all local chowdaheads – get your slurp on!
Now you don’t have to wait until winter to sample and rate the area’s best chowdas, bisques and soups. Chowdafest is coming this Fall.
That’s right Chowdafest will be Sunday, Oct. 12th. And, it’s moving outside to a new, bigger venue – Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, the chowda capital of CT.
Last year (well technically this year, but it was in winter, so close enough) we had an amazing time (check out our recap video here) and if it’s at all possible this year promises to be not only bigger but better.
So here’s the deal, Chowdafest is a culinary competition pitting award winning chefs and restaurants against each other – and YOU are the judge! When you arrive you get a pencil, ballot, and spoon. Then you slurp down 36 samples of chowder, soup and bisque! It’s up to you to determine who has the best! And don’t forget to eat your way through the Italian section called “Ciao-dafest” or the new Chowda-Mex section. Plus, there’s ice cream, cheese, crackers, beer and wine to sample too. Chowdafest really is a food-lovers event.
Here’s the list of this year’s categories and competitors.
New England Clam Chowder
- Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille
- Donovan’s (2 time defending champ)
- Guvnor’s Brewery
- Old Post Tavern
- O’Neill’s Pub
- Rory’s
- The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood
- Washington Prime
Traditional Clam Chowder (Manhattan + Rhode Island only)
- Clam Castle
- Dunville’s (defending champ)
- Rooking Gray Goose Cafe
- Liquid Lunch
- Lobster Post
- Mansion Clam House
- Westfair Fish + Chips
Creative Chowders (anything but the New England, Manhattan and Rhode Island)
- Brewhouse (defending champ)
- The Ginger Man
- Knapp’s Landing
- Liquid Lunch
- Post 154
- Simply Delicious
- Southport Brewing
- The Spread
Soups + Bisque
- Bistro Seven (defending champ)
- B.R.Y.A.C.
- Cask Republic
- Lobster Craft
- Lobster Post
- Local Kitchen + Beer Bar
- Parallel Post
- Soup Thyme
- Tikkaway Grill
The money raised from this year’s event will be donated to Community Plates.
Save $5, compliments of Stop + Shop, when you buy your ticket on-line for just $10 (adults). $15 at the door, $5 kids (6-12) and kids 5 and under are FREE. Kids receive FREE chef hats, stickers and more while supplies last. Coming soon will be details for a VIP Chowda Hour where you’ll get early access to all the eats, exclusive parking and a Chowdafest hat.
Parking is just $5. Event organizers encourage everyone to “think green and car pool.” General admission parking will be at Taylor Farm and there will be a complimentary shuttle provided by the Hilton Garden Inn.
Chowdafest will be held rain or shine.