2014's Chowdafest is October 12th: 36 Restaurants Battle, YOU Vote!

CTbites Team September 12, 2014

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 whose chowda is the best. Chefs will compete in 4 categories: New England Clam Chowder, Manhattan and Rhode Island Clam chowders, Creative Chowder and Soup & Bisque.

We had so much fun last year, we decided to make a short video. Here were the highlights from 2013.

But this year will even bigger and better! Chowdafest has moved outdoors to Norwalk CT - the Chowder Capital of CT. It will be held outdoors at the idyllic Calf Pasture Beach which is exit #16 off I-95. Chowdafest remains one of the best deals around. Save $5, compliments of Stop & Shop, when you buy your ticket on-line for just $10 (adults). $15 at the door, $5 kids (6-12) and kids 5 and under are FREE. VIP tickets will be available this year for serious chowdaheads. Kids receive FREE chef hats, stickers and more while supplies last. Chowdafest will be held rain or shine. Buy Ticket Here.

Every year a large portion of Chowdafest ticket sales go to a local charity fighting hunger in our community. This year Chowdafest will be donating half of its proceeds to Community Plates!

Meet the 2014 Competitors!

There are four categories of competition which will determine the best New England clam chowder, the best Manhattan and Rhode Island clam chowders, the best creative chowder and the best soup & bisque. The competition in each category is the stiffest yet and it's your vote that determines who will go home with 'best in CT' bragging rights!

New England Clam Chowder Category:

Donovan's of South Norwalk is the defending two-time champion for their New England clam chowder.

This is Guvnor's Brewery second year in the competition and came in 2nd in voting for best New England clam chowder. Located in South Norwalk, they share a common wall with current champion Donovan's.

Old Post Tavern in Fairfield is always a crowd-pleaser and has a third place finish to it's credit.

Stamford CT is well represented by Olio Restaurant. Chef Steve Costanza will be putting his unique spin on a classic New England Clam chowder

O'Neill's Pub of South Norwalk is back after a year tweaking their "New Irish" clam chowder.

With a 2nd and 3rd place finish to their resume, Rory's of Darien has establish itself among the best New England clam chowder in CT.

Another rookie to the competition, Sails American Grill will sure to bring the best of Rowayton with them!

Tavern on Main in Westport is a Chowdafest favorite and will once again be vying for Best in State honors!

Rookie Washington Prime of South Norwalk enters this competition with their own version of New England clam chowder.

Traditional Clam Chowder Category:
(Manhattan & Rhode Island only)

Defending champion Dunville's of Westport will take on all comers for their award winning Manhattan clam chowder.

Rooking Gray Goose Cafe of Southport has a loyal following for Chef Fernando's Manhattan clam chowder!

Liquid Lunch of Shelton & Milford came in 2nd place with their Manhattan clam chowder last year, fresh from Stone Garden Farms.

Lobster Post in Fairfield has entered their well balanced Manhattan clam chowder into the competition this year.

Tucked behind a little strip mall in Westport CT, true chowder-heads know about Westfair Fish & Chips which is entering their Rhode Island clam chowder.

Creative Chowders Category :
(anything but the New England, Manhattan and Rhode Island)

Brewhouse in South Norwalk is the defending champion with their chicken & roasted corn chowder

The Ginger Man of Norwalk and Greenwich is a three time champion of this category and the first restaurant elected to our Bowl of Fame!

Liquid Lunch of Shelton & Milford is a Chowdafest veteran with multiple second place finishes to their credit. Will this be the year they break through?

Westport enters another great restaurant in Post 154. Chowdafest started in Westport six years ago and is now the best chowder & soup competition in New England.

Your vote will determine if the lobster & corn chowder entry from Norwalk's Simply Delicious restaurant is just that - simply delicious.

Southport Brewing of Southport, Milford and Branford has been in Chowdafest every year and is the most decorated of all restaurants in the competition winning in several categories including this category!

The Spread of South Norwalk finished second in their debut in this category and look to impress the judges (you) and claim top honors.

Soups & Bisque Category:

Bistro Seven of Wilton walked into the last competition confident of winning and walked out with first place!

B.R.Y.A.C. is the first restaurant from Bridgeport to ever compete in this state wide event. They jump right into the conversation for state's best lobster bisque.

The popular Cask Republic of New Haven and Stamford is back and looking to move up after last year's 3rd place finish.

One of the most contested battles will be for best lobster bisque and Lobster Craft of Darien thinks they have it.

When your name is Lobster Post how can this Fairfield restaurant not be in the competition for best lobster bisque?

Local Kitchen & Beer Bar of both Fairfield and Norwalk came on the scene last year and wowed the fans with their Back to School Bisque. What will Chef Dave concoct this year?

Chef Chris of Parallel Post of Trumbull got a taste of what it takes to win at Chowdafest last time and plans to show that the best lobster bisque doesn't always come from a seafood restaurant.

Monroe residents know there's no better place for soup or chowder than their own Soup Thyme. Their infamous Chicken Pot Pie soup is the dark horse and might just take this category!