11th Annual ChowdaFest 2018 Coming on September 30, 2018

You Can Be a Judge!

Determine the Best Chowder, 

Soup & Bisque in New England

at ChowdaFest! 

Once September rolls around, you know it's time for CHOWDAFEST!

Tickets are now on sale for the 11th Annual Chowdafest competition presented by Stop & Shop.  

This year's competition will be held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport Connecticut on Sunday Sept. 30, 2018 from 11am – 3pm.  

“Come early and definitely come hungry” can often be heard from Jim Keenan, executive director of the event.   

Each year, a record breaking crowd attends to determine which restaurants have the best chowder, soup & bisque in New England.  

Chowdafest features up to 40 award winning restaurants in five different categories: Best New England clam chowder, Best Traditional clam chowder (reserved for Manhattan, Rhode Island and Shoreline clam chowders only), Best Creative Chowder, Best Soup & Bisque and Best Vegetarian entry (can be a chowder, soup or bisque).   

Keenan says the categories are necessary as you can't compare a New England clam chowder to lobster bisque to chicken noodle soup. 

Yankee Magazine has named Chowdafest as one of the “top events of the season” for the past two years and also named it just one of eight “not to be missed events in 2018”.  

Adults and kids alike are an official judge, enjoying unlimited sampling and rating everything on a scale from 7 to 10.5.  The highest average rating in each category is declared champion.  

Unlike many food competitions with a selected panel of judges determines the winners, Chowdafest prides itself on being a true people's choice event as well as being a “true value”, said Keenan.  “Where else can you enjoy unlimited sampling, plus our incredible Italian and Mexican themed sections, free beverages and a sweet treats section, all for just 20 clams?” Kids ages 6-12 are just $5 and parking is free and plentiful. 

Last year, Chowdafest set an attendance record for the 10th straight year.   Attendees literally traveled from all over the country to Connecticut, the chowder capital of New England, to be an official judge.  “We've grown from just a few hundred people when we first started to tens of thousands, even selling out hotels” said Keenan.  The event even features a “Stay & Slurp” hotel and ticket deal which can be found on their website. 

“It's great to see people come back year after year and bring more friends with them to share the experience” Keenan said.  More people also means more money will be raised in the fight against food insecurity.  Last year, Chowdafest funded over a half million meals for the hungry through Food Rescue US resulting in over 2 million meals since the competitions inception.   

Each year, Chowdafest strives to increase the level of competition between restaurants, inviting only those they feel can win the competition.  More than half the restaurants featured this year are new to the event.  

“One of the best compliments we get each year is hearing our restaurants tell us that when someone has won at Chowdafest, they have truly earned it because the level of culinary talent showcased is so high” said Keenan.  “The attendees notice too as they often mention how the restaurant collection was even better than the year before”.  Keenan feels that the 2018 restaurant lineup is arguably the best yet will also feature chowders that have never been entered including a “shoreline” and lobster chowder. 

Keenan expects other records to fall as two defending category champions are vying for an unprecedented fourth in a row title.  Another first includes an accomplished chef entered in all five categories.  Each year, Chowdafest invites a Manhattan based restaurant to defend it's namesake chowder.  This year, Chowdafest extended an invitation to executive chef Bruce Rogers of the infamoud NY based Hale & Hearty Soups restaurants.  “Bruce makes a mean Manhattan clam chowder but being both the consumate competitor and one hell of a soup maven, he asked to enter all five categories” noted Keenan.  “With a Hale & Hearty location now in Boston, it made Hale & Hearty's eligible to compete in this New England event.  Just making the attempt is worth an award but Bruce's entries have a real shot of winning more than one category”.  Keenan says no restaurant has ever attempted or been qualified for more than two categories in the same year and no one has won more than one category in doing so.  

Get your tickets NOW at http://www.chowdafest.org/tickets

For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email executive director, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com. 

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is sponsored by: BlumShapiro, Cabot Creamery, Carla's Pasta, Chica de Gallo, City Carting, Copp's Island Oysters, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Even Hotels, HamletHub, Harney & Sons Tea, Ken's Foods, Lowe's, Lucy's, Michele's Pies, MINI of Fairfield County, New England Coffee, Nounos Creamery, Ocean Spray, Peapod by Stop & Shop, People's United Bank, Polar Beverages, Rose Sister Chips, The Farmers Cow, Tortilleria Mi Nina, WEBE 108

Connecticut Announces ChowdaTrail!

Announcing Connecticut's Newest Trail

Connecticut has nearly 30 trails where people can find and visit such places as the state's wineries, breweries, even antiques.  There are also food trails that feature pizza, burgers and chocolate.  Joining the state's culinary trails is the new Chowda Trail.

Unlike most trails, the Chowda Trail is a living, breathing trail that changes annually to reflect where people can find the incredible chowders, soups and bisque entered in Chowdafest, the largest culinary competition in New England held annually in Connecticut.

“Only one other state has a chowder trail...” said Jim Keenan, the Chowda Trail creator.  “...and it's Oregon.  New England is renown for its chowder so it was only natural to create a unique chowder trail here in the northeast.”

Keenan worked with the Connecticut State Department of Tourism to help launch the trail on their recently redesigned website.  “The state did a remarkable job revitalizing their CT Visit.com website and making it so inviting.  It's visually enticing, loaded with great attractions, events and things to do for residents and non-residents alike.  We're thrilled to be their latest trail as 32 of the 40 stops are right here in CT”.

The Chowda Trail creation coincides with the peak summer travel season where people are vacationing, especially driving the coast of New England.  “People email and call us all the time seeking chowder recommendations” Keenan said.  “New England clam chowder and lobster bisque are the most popular requests but discernible foodies also look for something different like a spicy Bermuda conch chowder or a non-seafood  chowder like a chicken and poblano chowder.  Having the Chowda Trail online where they can look it up and try some of these great restaurants made a lot of sense.”

The Chowda Trail is supported by AAA and Yankee Magazine and can be found online at: http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/chowda-trail   The site also includes information on the New England Chowdafest presented by Stop & Shop as well as a “Stay & Chow(da)” hotel and ticket promotion.

Photo Source CT State Department of Tourism http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/chowda-trail

The 9th Annual Chowdafest competition will be held on Sunday October 2, 2016 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport CT and will once again showcase 40 restaurants representing every New England state, 8 states in total.  Attendees receive a spoon, ballot and pencil when they arrive.  They enjoy unlimited sampling and rate each entry on a scale from 7 to 10.5 with half point intervals.  Restaurants with the highest over all average in their respective categories will be declared best in New England.

Chowdafest features four categories of competition with ten restaurants competing in each:

1. Classic New England Clam Chowder (cream/milk based)
2. Traditional Chowder exclusively for Rhode Island (clear broth) and 
3. Manhattan Clam Chowders (red, tomato based), 
4. Creative Chowders and Soup & Bisques

Chowdafest raised enough to fund over 400,000 meals for the ongoing fight against hunger last year and is shooting to provide for over a half million meals this fall.  Chowdafest is also a zero waste event and a national model for event sustainability.  

For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email event director, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is sponsored by: AAA Northeast, Aquafina, BlumShapiro, Cabot Creamery, Chabaso Bakery, City Carting, Clover, CT Bites, Dannon, The Farmer's Cow, Frontera Foods, HamletHub,  Jersey Italian Gravy, Kids Helping Kids, Local Food Rocks, MINI of Fairfield County, New Milford Farms, Ocean Spray, Omnom, Schweppes, Sustainable America, Visa, WEBE 108, Webster Bank, Westminster Bakery, Wholly Guacamole, World Centric and Yankee Magazine.

© Home Place

ChowdaFest CT 2015 Recap and Winners

Social Media Promotion

A record crowd of 8,500 gathered to judge the annual Chowdafest competition that featured 38 restaurants from 12 different states, slurping down a record 1,500+ gallons of chowder, soup and bisque in determining which is the best in New England.  Awards were won by restaurants from 8 different states. 

“The voting was extraordinarily close this year versus previous years” said Jim Keenan, event director.  “I expected as much with the invitation of award winning restaurants from other states.  The level of competition was extremely high.  In some cases, just a tenth of a point or less determined the winners and only a half point separated the top from the bottom in some  categories”.  

Everyone who attends Chowdafest is a judge and is encouraged to rate each entry they try on a scale from 7 to 10 with half pt intervals.  “This is a true people's choice event.  Winners aren't determined by a food critic but by you and I' said Keenan. Thousands of ballots are then scanned to determine the average rating and the restaurants with the highest rating in each category is declared the winner.

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is the largest competition of it's kind in New England as no other event represents every New England state, showcases as many restaurants plus attracts so many people.   In other words, ChowdaFest 2015 at Sherwood Island was a Clam Slam!
Or Corn Slam!
Or Bisque Slam!
Good Lord - every soup, bisque, and chowder I sampled deserved a grand-slam prize!

And to top it off - it was a beautiful sunny day, perfectly enjoyed at the new location of Sherwood Island, which featured plenty of parking and a beautiful view of Long Island Sound. The Chowder Gods certainly smiled down on us!

But every competition - must have a winner! And here are the results of the 2015 ChowdaFest held at Sherwood Island in Westport CT on Saturday, October 11th.

2015 ChowdaFest New England Clam Chowder Winners

CHAMPION: Pike Place Chowder of Seattle Washington

Pike Place Chowder

2nd Place Sedona Restaurant of Norwalk Connecticut

3rd Place Luke's Lobster/Hurricanes  of NYC and Maine

Sedona and Luke's Lobster/Hurricanes Chowder

2015 Traditional Chowder Winners

CHAMPION: Dunvilles ofWestport CT

2nd Place: Stefano's of Long Beach Island, NJ

3rd Place: GROW of Shelton, CT

Stefano's

2015 ChowdaFest Creative Chowder Winners

CHAMPION: Our House Bistro of  Winosk VT

Our House Bistro from Vermont

2nd Place: Ri Ra of Portsmouth NH

3rd Place: Smithsonian Chowder House of North Hampton MA

Ri Ra and Smithsonian

2015 ChowdaFest Soup/Bisque Winners

CHAMPION: Simply Delicious of Norwalk CT

2nd Place: Post 154 of Westport CT

3rd Place: Bobby Q's of Westport CT

Bobby Q's and Post 154

While expenses are still in the process of being finalized, Keenan reports that they'll provide Community Plates enough to fund at least 100,000 meals for the food insecure which is another event record  Community Plates is a 501-c3 non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger through the rescue of food from grocery stores, restaurants and farms, then delivers it to the myriad of shelters in need. 

Chowdafest also raised $750 for the Friends of Sherwood Island through the sale of muffin tins that were used as sample holders.  FOSI is a non-profit group dedicated to supporting and enhancing the state park.  "I'm glad we could do something for this worthwhile group" said Keenan.  "We could have done more but we ran out of tins.  I like the tin holder concept because of it's sustainability.  People bought two for $5 and got to take them home to use afterward.  Plus you can't buy one for under $8 in a store so it was a good deal for all involved".




Dunkin Donuts was busy sampling fall flavored coffees and munckin treats.  Ocean Spray and Aquafina were handing out juices, teas and water to thirsty event goers.  Stop & Shop sampled both their New England clam chowder and their lobster bisque demonstrating their soups are restaurant quality.  MINI of Fairfield County held a customer appreciation promotion and had 60 MINI's road rally their way to Chowdafest.  They also sponsored the "MINIstrone" tent in the Italian themed Ciao-dafest section

The Great Volunteers - The Sacred Heart Pioneers

Chowdafest also set a record for the composting over 4 tons of food waste.  "Every year, we get closer to having zero waste.  Hopefully next year we'll do even better"  The sustainablility efforts were supported by City Carting who provided receptacles and provided the carting, New Milford Farms who composted the waste, Vegware who supplied the compostable cups & spoons and Sustainable America of Stamford who oversaw our efforts.
New this year were the handcrafted trophies designed by Shelton artist, Wendy Marciano.  The nautically themed trophies were made from materials found along the shoreline and were displayed in a separate awards tent for all to see during the event.  "The chefs really loved them" Keenan said.  "The awards will be showcased at their restaurants as the piece of art they are.  Handcrafted, one of kind trophies for handcrafted chowder or soup from one of a kind chefs".

Chowdafest's other food sampling areas were very popular too as attendees sampled Ocean Spray Craisins, a variety of cheese from Cabots Creamery, Italian eats at the Ciao-dafest section, salsa & chips from Taco Mexico in Norwalk along with Tostito's chips & salsas in the ChowdMex section.  The Farmer's Cow was busy sampling ice cream and lemonade made from CT farms.  Kids of all ages sampled the many flavors of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish. Every restaurant gave out the famous oyster cracker from Westminster Bakery.

Volunteers and Vendors

AAA offered free emergency service to anyone needing it in the parking lot and nearly 25% of everyone who bought a ticket did so with a AAA discount.  Courtyard by Marriott had several "stay and chow" customers who spent the weekend and enjoyed Chowdafest.  The hotel also hosted several of the out of state restaurants.  Kid's Helping Kids operated the successful ChowdaKids section, orchestrating fun kids activities.  PEZ, headquartered in Orange CT, was on hand handing out their Halloween dispensers and giving discounts to their visitor center. WEBE 108 promoted the event with on-air ticket give-aways and those who attended were given a free issue of The Beat Magazine which included a wonderful feature on Chowdafest.

"I'd like to thank our incredible restaurants who brought their "A" game and made this the most competitive competition yet.  Thank you to Stop & Shop and all our incredible sponsors, who support this event year after year.  But most of all, my thanks goes out to the myriad of volunteers who do so much in helping us make this a record breaking event.  They include the student athletes from Sacred Heart and Fairfield Universities.  The Wakeman's boys and girls club.  The Service League of Boys from Staples High School.  My good friends from the Unitarian Church in Westport, my brothers Mike & Tom and of course my wife and daughter who without their help, our continued success would not be possible" noted Keenan 

Fun at ChowdaFest 2015!

Once again, another great chowdafestival thanks to Stop and Shop, the ChowdaFest people, and all the restaurants, vendors, and volunteers who supported the cause!

Jim has rounded up some great sponsors and pulled in some great volunteers - and the rest, as they say is Chowdahistory!

Save the date! 

10-2-16 at Sherwood Island for next year's ChowdaFest 16!

For more pictures visit the Home Place facebook page

HERE 

and while you're there, don't forget to "like us"!

For more on ChowdaFest vist www.chowdafest.org/

Disclaimer: I was invited to attend ChowdaFest as a social media representative, however all views are my own.

ChowdaFest Winners and Recap - October 2014

Donovan’s, Gray Goose, Soup Thyme, and The Spread Take Top Honors at Chowdafest

Thousands of chowder loving foodies from all over Connecticut converged at Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach to determine the state’s best chowder, soup and bisque at Chowdafest.

We all grabbed a spoon, a pencil and a ballot and went off to sample 30 different entries.

Each entry was rated on a scale of 7 to 10 to determine the winners of four different categories. The restaurant with the best overall average in their category are declared champions.

Voters chose Donovan’s of South Norwalk for their New England clam chowder, winning for the third consecutive year. Norwalk restaurants took all top three awards with O’Neill’s coming in second narrowly missing first and new comer Sparks Sports Grill taking third place.

Gray Goose of Fairfield took first place in their first Chowdafest competition winning the Traditional Chowder category for Manhattan and Rhode Island clam chowders only. They defeated  runner-up Liquid Lunch of Shelton & Milford who finished second last year with their Manhattan clam chowder. Third place was Dunville’s of Westport who was the categories previous champion also with a Manhattan entry. Westfair Fish & Chips of Westport finished with the top rated Rhode Island clam chowder.

The very popular Creative Chowder category was exceptionally close as eight restaurants showcased their culinary skills. The Spread from South Norwalk took top honors for their chorizo and shrimp chowder which was also the highest rated entry for the entire event. Taking second was Norwalk’s Brewhouse restaurant who won this category previously. Third place was Liquid Lunch with their Great Pumpkin & Lobster Bisque. Norwalk’s Simply Delicious missed the podium by 0.01 of a point for their lobster & corn chowder.

Newcomer Soup Thyme of Monroe won the Soup & Bisque category with their chicken pot pie soup. “I’m so glad we finally entered” said Ron Lee, owner. “We’ve been invited for several years and I’m thrilled we could finally compete”. Tikkaway from New Haven came in second with their chicken cilantro bisque. Third place finisher was Local Kitchen and Beer Bar of Fairfield & Norwalk with their Thanksgiving harvest bisque. LobsterCraft of Darien had the highest rated lobster bisque.

Attendees also got to sample craft beer, wine & crackers, farm made ice cream and even birthday cake from presenting sponsor Stop & Shop who was celebrating their 100th anniversary. Tim Curry’s Motown band entertained the crowd. Kids decorated chef hats and got to meet “Goldie” the goldfish from Pepperidge Farm.

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, benefits Community Plates in an ongoing effort to eliminate hunger.

For more pictures of the event, visit the Home Place facebook page at http://bit.ly/CF2014pix

and while you're there, don't forget to "like" us!

For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email event chairperson, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com

ChowdaFest CT Moves to Norwalk, Sunday Oct. 12 2014

B I G   N E W S !

ChowdaFest CT is back!

When: October 12th 2014

VIP Tickets:  Includes ChowdaHour 11am-12noon*  $25.00 (available online)==> CLICK HERE

General Admission : 12pm-5pm $15.00 ($10.00 in advance online) ==> CLICK HERE

NEW VENUE: Calf Pasture Beach, Calf Pasture Beach Rd, Norwalk, CT 06855

*Read details about the VIP Exclusive ChowdaHour below... 

Chowdafest Announces its FIRST EVER === VIP ChowdaHOUR!

The Chowdafest CT officials announced VIP tickets will go on sale Friday, Sept. 19 at 11:59 p.m.

And this year they have added a special VIP tasting time dubbed “The VIP ChowdaHOUR” because it gives foodies “front row eats” to the event from 11a.m.to noon and is sponsored by The Norwalk HOUR.

The tickets give exclusive access without the crowds.“People have been asking us to do something like this for a few years,” according to Jim Keenan event director. “I think our fans who want the VIP treatment will be happy as clams with everything this ticket includes and expect to sell out quickly”.

And, in more BIG NEWS, the Chowdafest has moved from its previous venue, and will take place at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk on Sunday, Oct. 12 from noon to 4p.m. (And 11am for those lucky and limited VIP ticket holders!)

Chowdafest is a culinary competition pitting award winning chefs & restaurants against each other where YOU are the judge! When you arrive, you get a pencil, ballot and spoon. Then slurp down 36 decadent samples of chowder, soup and bisque!  It's up to you to determine who has the best!  You'll also be able to visit the Italian section called "Ciao-dafest" or the new Chowda-Mex section.  Sample ice cream, cheese, crackers, beer & wine too.  Chowdafest is a true "foodie" experience.

Jim Read, the advertising manager and chairman of the Hour Events Committee states,“we’re thrilled to have such a premier event come to Norwalk, As a sponsor of an event being held in our city, we wanted to be involved with something special and our ChowdaHOUR promotion is quite the ticket”.

The VIP experience starts with reserved parking right in front of the event. Parking is $5 and proceeds go to the local high school band. Resident beach sticker holders enjoy free parking. Like Disney, you’ll have a fast pass check in and you will be given a custom Chowdafest cap signifying your VIP status. You’ll then enter through the red velvet ropes of course, to sip and slurp unencumbered by crowds and long lines. You’ll meet and greet amazing chefs and even have a special sampling not available to general admission. As icing on the cake, VIPs have first access to the exciting new merchandise tent and get a discount!

The ChowdaHour is just $25 per adult. Accompanied children ages 6-12 are $5 and kids 5 and under are free. Tickets are limited and only available online. When they sell out, no more will be issued. Of course, VIPs are welcome to stay at the event longer but the general public will be allowed in at noon.

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, benefits Community Plates in an ongoing effort to eliminate hunger. General admission for the event is just $15 for adults at the door (Just $10 when purchased online) $5 for kids (6-12 years old). Kids also get a free chef hats, stickers, temporary tattoos, while supplies last.

And THERE's MORE! Chowdafest in conjunction with the Hilton Garden Inn in Norwalk, announce a Stay-n- Slurp package for Chowdafest weekend, Oct 10 and 11, 2014. Now chowder fans can enjoy a spectacular weekend filled with fun, food, entertainment and accommodations.

The Chowdafest package includes one-night deluxe accommodations for two at the Hilton Garden Inn in Norwalk, two general admission tickets to Chowdafest, a full American breakfast for two and roundtrip shuttle service to the event. This package is available for $119. Reservations may be made by calling the hotel directly at 203-523-4000 or the toll free number group code CHOWDA.

Link to details ==> CLICK HERE

For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email event chairperson, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com

Purchase tickets here ==> CLICK HERE

ChowdaFest CT 2014 Recap - #ChowdaFestCT Winners in Bridgeport CT

This Sunday my friend Gayle and I set out for our annual trek to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport CT to attend the 6th Annual ChowdaFest CT Contest!

A list of the final winners appears at the end of this post.

This year it was better than ever, as they added some new attractions, such as a cheese bar, a beer and wine area, and several chef demonstrations. In honor of the annual event falling on SuperBowl Sunday each year, they even introduced a new mascot:

Meet the amazing Chef Ref!

Meet Chef Ref!
Photos courtesy of Beth Kitchener (Thanks Beth!)

We had a great time and tasted some mighty fine chowders! So many unique flavors and some great takes on the traditionals! Feast your eyes on the pictorial recap that follows...

Here's some of the fun things we saw and sampled! 

Wood-n-Tap
Pictures on the brochure in the upper right look familiar?
Yup! I'm thrilled ChowdaFest used my pictures from last year!

Old Post Tavern (Fairfield)

The Wonderful Volunteers from Sacred Heart University

Fun With Rory's Irish Tavern (Darien)

Bernard's (Ridgefield)

High Tide Gourmet (Madison)

Lenny and Joe's Fish Tail (New Haven, Madison and Westbrook)
Apparently Gayle likes Lobster!!!

The NEW Cracker and Cheese Area

The Restaurant at Rowayton (Rowayton)

Parallel Post at the Trumbull Marriott

The Sacred Heart Volunteers even helped at the Chowda Children's Corner!
I'm not sure who is having more fun!!! Mom and Dad, the kids, or the volunteers!! 

Guvnor's Brewery in Norwalk

The Beer and Wine Corner at ChowdaFestCT

Mansion Clam House (Westport)

The Ginger Man's Sweet Potato Clam Chowder (Norwalk)

Donovan's (Norwalk)

And here's a sampling of my sampling!

And, without further ado, 

here's a list of the ChowdaFest CT 2014 WINNERS!!

Were you at ChowdaFest CT this year?

Do you have a favorite chowder? 

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.