Chowderfest - Day 2 - Tasting Competition On Tap for Today

Red or white. What's your pleasure?

Visitors heading to the 27th Annual Chowderfest Weekend will get to answer that question on Sunday by sampling chowders from the Southern Ocean County's best restaurants.

Restaurants competing for the best red chowder on Oct. 2 the Black Whale Bar and Fish House, Lefty's Tavern, Stefano's Seafood and Pasta, Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club and the Shore Fire Grille.

White chowder competitors include the Chicken or the Egg, Country Kettle Chowda, Howard's Restaurant, Sea Oaks Country Club, Mud City CrabHouse and the Shack. Competing in the "most creative" category are Blue Water Cafe, La Bamba, Cuisine on the Green, Southern Smoke and Buckelew's.

Chowderfest kicked off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 with free admission to the Merchant Mart - a mix of summer bargains, fall and holiday items, live music, children's entertainment, a gourmet food court with beer and hard cider on tap.

VIP tickets are available for $55. A VIP ticket guarantees early admission to the chowder sampling tent at 10 a.m. and a T-shirt.

General admission tickets are $25; children's tickets for ages 4 to 12 are $10. Free parking and Sunday bus shuttle service will be provided.

Tickets are on sale now at purchase Chower Cook-off Tickets or by contacting the Southern Ocean County Chamber at 265 West Ninth Street, Ship Bottom, phone 609-494-7211. Tickets are also available at Merchants Mart or the gate the day of the event.

For more information check out the Official LBI Chowderfest Facebook page or chowderfest.com. The event is presented by Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce along with sponsors The Sandpaper/Beachcomber, Sysco, Bud Light, Ritchie & Page Distributing and TD Bank.

The event is partially funded by the state Division of Travel and Tourism.

Image: Patricia A. Miller