Newport Waterfront Events has announced that it has added a “Best of the Best” category bringing the total number of competitors to-date to nineteen for the 35th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off, taking place this summer on Saturday, June 18th from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Fort Adams State Park.

In addition to the traditional “Clam” and “Seafood” categories, the new “Best of the Best” competition will feature former Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame champions, including Davenport’s Restaurant from East Providence & Cumberland, RI, The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar of Newport, RI and Tony’s Clam Chowder from Cedar Key, FL, who are ready to put their special recipes back on the front burner for a chance at reaching the ultimate in chowder glory.  Although the exclusive Chowderhead Club tickets are now sold out, advance tickets to the original and longest running chowder championships in the country are on sale for $20 through June 17th with day of tickets $25. Children are admitted free if under the age of 12 and accompanied by a paid adult.  Purchase tickets at www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or order by phone by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

“Over the years the feedback from our chowder loving attendees has been that while they look forward to enjoying new chowders each year they also miss sampling some past winners whose recipes have been retired to the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame,” said Michele Maker Palmieri, President and CEO of Waterfront Productions, the parent company of Newport Waterfront Events.  “We contacted a number of the most popular Hall of Fame champions and they are excited to be bringing their winning recipes out of retirement for our chowder fans and for ‘Best of the Best’ bragging rights!”

To-date, those who will be participating in the Great Chowder Cook-Off are as follows:

Clam Category – Dan’s Place, West Greenwich, RI; DiMare Seafood, East Greenwich, RI; Fireworks Catering, Providence, RI; Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar, East Greenwich, RI; Grid Iron Ale House, Warwick, RI; Luke’s Lobster/Hurricane Chowder, NY/Maine; McGrath Clambakes & Catering, Newport, RI; McT’s Tavern, Cumberland, RI; Open Season Catering, Warwick, RI; and Wharf Pub, Newport, RI. Alpine Nursing Home, Coventry, RI; Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Culinary Program, Taunton, MA*;

Seafood Category – Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School – Culinary Program, Taunton, MA*; Bunratty Manor, County Clare, Ireland; Clifton Health Care Campus, Somerset, MA; MainSail at the Newport Marriott, Newport, RI; and The Boat Yard Bar & Grill, Newport, RI.

Best of the Best Category – Davenport’s Restaurant, East Providence & Cumberland, RI; Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Newport, RI; and Tony’s Seafood Restaurant, Cedar Key, FL.

* Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Culinary Program, Taunton, MA is competing in both the Clam and Seafood categories. This is the first time a competitor has attempted to participate in two categories in the same year.

The legendary event features all-you-can-eat “chowda” from renowned chefs who serve sumptuous samples to the thousands of festival attendees who also act as judges.  Chefs compete for the coveted titles of “Best Clam”, “Best Seafood” and “Best of the Best” chowder with prize money being awarded to the top three winners in each category, including $2,000 each for the first-place winners. For competitors who want to register, please visit http://www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/great-chowder-cook-off/.

Admission to the Great Chowder Cook-Off also includes other fun ingredients, such as The Newport Oyster Festival presented by Matunuck Oyster Farm, Oyster Shuck & Slurping Contests, Beer Shucking, live music from Big Cat Blues Band, The Ravers and DJ Nook and a variety of activities for the littlenecks.  Aside from the endless chowder, there will be a variety of other food options for sale from Friskie Fries, Del’s, Saugy’s, McGrath Clambakes & Catering, Ben & Jerry’s, Pizza Gourmet, Kettle Korn Express, Macray’s Seafood and Open Season Catering.

This year’s partners include Sea Watch, Stop &Shop, Discover Newport, I Heart Radio, WPRI 12, Fox Providence, The Rhode Show, Matunuck Oyster Farm, What’s Up Newp, Fort Adams Trust and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.