Chowder Cook-Off Scheduled for June in Newport

NEWPORT – The Knorr® Great Chowder Cook-Off invites chefs to celebrate its 30 years of competitive homage to soup by putting their secret clam, seafood and creative chowder recipes to the test at the original and longest running chowder championship in the world.

The competition will begin to thicken on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center. Event organizers are hopeful that this year’s group of competitors will take them over the 100,000 mark in total number of gallons of chowder served since the event’s inception in 1982.

The contest is open to local, regional and international chefs who work at restaurants, catering companies and institutional dining facilities, the spirited competition for bragging rights, and more than $10,000 in prizes and awards is a fun-filled day for the chowder creators as well as the tasters.

To top off the prize pot this year, sponsor SeaWatch International will offer a $1,000 bonus to the winner in the “Best Clam” chowder category.

The key requirements to enter the competition are a winning chowder recipe and an enthusiastic staff!

Additional information on the Knorr® Great Chowder Cook-Off is available by contacting Mike Martin, the director of the Newport Waterfront Events, at (401) 846-1600, Ext. 210, or by visiting www.newportwaterfrontevents.com.

The event features all-you-can-eat “chowda” from the nation's best chefs, who serve samples of their sumptuous creations to the thousands of chowder loving festival attendees who also act as judges. Chefs compete for the coveted titles of "Best Clam," "Best Seafood," and "Best Creative" chowder with prize money being awarded to the top three winners in each category.

“We have all three 2010 chowder champions returning this year to defend their titles, including Tony’s Seafood Restaurant from Florida and Michael’s Seafood Restaurant from North Carolina, who both have a chance to enter the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame with a third win. So, the competition is sure to be as hot as ever,” Martin said. “And to all those chefs out there who have been tempted to throw their hats into the ring over the years but haven’t, it’s the ideal time to compete due to it being the event’s 30 anniversary. The exposure, marketing opportunities, staff bonding and fun that goes on is a guarantee regardless if you come out on top or not.”

Martin added that the nine-time Grand Champion of the Long Beach Island, New Jersey Chowder Cook-Off Classic – Stefano’s Seafood and Chowder – will be coming to Newport for the first time to compete in the “Best Clam” chowder category.

But it is not all about the “Chowda”. New this year will be a “Clam Cake Chow-Down” eating contest for cash and other prizes, which will be sure to get the competitive juices flowing among the event attendees as well. And, if chowder lovers are looking to eat something without using a spoon, check out Chef Timothy at the Knorr® Kitchen, who will be cooking up the title-sponsor’s recipes.

The event will also feature three stages of live musical entertainment, including The Ravers, Rebel Heat, The Repercussions, Buddy’s Beach House and Steel Appeal.

The Amica Family Fun Area is also available, featuring chef hat decorating, kidSTOPs throughout the site with activities and giveaways for children, Ron the Balloon Man with his twisted creations, Pirate Captain William Kidd & The Freeman of the Sea, fund raising activities for local non-profits, and a Marketplace with a variety of crafts and specialty items. They all add to the festive atmosphere.

After a close competition, last year's winners were:

• “Best Clam” – Tony’s Cedar Key Clam Chowder, Cedar Key, FL
• “Best Seafood” – Michael’s Seafood, Carolina Beach, NC
• “Best Creative” - The Boat House, Tiverton, RI
• “Best Clamcake” – , North Kingstown, RI

Ticket prices for the Knorr® Great Chowder Cook-Off are $20 for adults, if ordered by Friday, May 27, and $25 the day of the event. Children under the age of 12 are admitted to the event for FREE with a paying adult.

In celebration of the event’s 30th Anniversary, the most ardent chowder fans have the opportunity to become members of the Chowderhead Club and enjoy exclusive access to the “Chowder Power Hour” from 11:00 a.m. to noon. The $75 ticket for this special tasting experience offers access to all the chowder competitors and their savory creations before the real crowds arrive. Plus, Club members will receive a Chowder Swag Bag full of goodies including an official event t-shirt, a custom cocktail and more.

For more information and tickets, please visit newportwaterfrontevents.com or contact the Newport Yachting Center at (401) 846-1600. Tickets can also be purchased as walk ups at the Newport Yachting Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, starting Monday, May 16 on 4 Commercial Wharf (off America’s Cup Avenue) in downtown Newport.

Release courtesy of Dodge Associates, Inc., on behalf of the chowdah cook-off.