Newport Waterfront Events’ 37th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off, taking place on Saturday, June 2ND from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Fort Adams State Park, will feature Newport’s La Forge Casino Restaurant and Chef Makoto Osaki and the MainSail at the Newport Mariott and its Chef Eric Steinhauer trying to achieve chowder glory in the “Best Red” and “Best Clam” categories respectively.
“The Cook-Off will be pretty competitive as last year’s first place winner in the ‘Red’ category, Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School, is back to defend its title while the second place winner in the ‘Clam’ category, Woods Tavern from West Greenwich, will also be stirring things up again,” said Michele Maker Palmieri, Owner and President of Waterfront Productions, the parent company of Newport Waterfront Events. “But with a quality recipe and an enthusiastic staff both of these competitors have a good chance to keep the title right here in Newport.”
The original and longest running chowder championships in the country, and Rhode Island’s traditional kick-off to the summer season, features traditional and exotic chowders from renowned chefs who serve endless 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 Red” chowders, as well as Most Team Spirit, Coolest Chowder Booth and prize money.
Admission to the Great Chowder Cook-Off also includes a variety of entertainment, including Oyster Shucking & Slurping Contests, Beer Shucking, live music from The Ravers, Cee Cee & the Riders and The Brian Scott Band, Matunuck Oyster Farm’s Newport Oyster Festival featuring its famous lobster rolls and raw bar, sponsor sampling and a number of activities for the littlenecks. Aside from the all-you-can-eat chowder, there will be a host of other food options for sale from GottaQ, Jeff’s Wood Fire Pizza, Red’s Street Kitchen, Jerry’s Pastries, Saugy Inc., Ben & Jerry’s and Del’s Lemonade, as well as full bars serving beer, including RI’s own Whalers Pale Ale, wine and summer-themed cocktails.
After a close competition, last year’s chowder winners were “Best Clam” – Open Season Catering, Warwick, RI; “Best Seafood” – Nancy’s Barn, Ballyliffin, Ireland; and “Best Red” –Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School – Culinary Program, Taunton, MA.
The event’s partners include Stop & Shop, Diageo Spirits, RIPTA, Whalers Brewing Company, Pawtucket Red Sox, Cabot, Matunuck Oyster Farm, Discover Newport, What’s Up Newp, Fort Adams Trust, I Heart Radio (94 WHJY, Coast 93.3, B101), WPRI 12, Fox Providence, The Rhode Show, The Providence CW and myRITV.
The gates to the Great Chowder-Cook Off will open at noon and the celebration will continue until 6:00 p.m. when the winners in each major category will be announced. Ticket prices for the event are $20 for adults if ordered by Friday, June 1st and $25 the day of the event. Children are admitted free if age 12 and under and accompanied by a paid adult. To purchase tickets, please visit www.riwaterfrontevents.com or order by phone by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.
For more information on the Great Chowder Cook-Off, visit www.riwaterfrontevents.com