It’s funny to look at the humble start of Chowdafest which has exponentially grown each year to include more soup-slurpers and more restaurants throughout Connecticut. So, it would seem only right that the next place to expand would be having restaurants throughout New England compete to see who makes the best soups, bisques, and chowders. And, with that change also comes the change of location: Sherwood Island State Park in Westport! Yup, mark it and mark it well: Sunday, October 11 is the day when you’ll get to taste the best of the best. Tickets are $15 for adults or $5 for kids 6-12 with no charge for parking. With your ticket, you get a spoon for unlimited tastings, a ballot to help vote in your favorites from 5 categories.
Speaking of categories:
New England Clam Chowder
Competitors include the award-winning (and #1 rated) chowder from Pike Place Chowder in Seattle, Donovan’s of Norwalk, Danville of Westport, Little Barn of Westport, Luke’s Lobster of NYC, O’Neil’s of Norwalk, Olio on Hope Street, Rory’s of Darien, The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood, Shell & Bones of New Haven.
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Whatever you think about Manhattan Clam Chowder, that might change when you try some of the best chowders from The Soup Spot in NYC, Reservoir Restaurant and Tap Room in VT, Stefano’s from Long Beach, The Gray Goose of Fairfield, and Liquid Lunch’s soon-to-open restaurant in Shelton.
Rhode Island Clam Chowder
Entrants include Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingston, RI; Bill’s Seafood of Westbrook, Finn’s Harborside from Warrick, RI; Chef’s Table of Fairfield, and Uberti’s of Stratford.
Creative Chowder
The Spread in Norwalk will be defending their championship against Octagon Steakhouse, Our House Bistro from Burlington, Smithsonian Chowderhouse from MA, The Chelsea from Fairfield, Ginger Man of Greenwich/Norwalk, Ri Ra Irish Pub of Portsmouth/Portland, ON20 from Hartford, Simply Delicious from Norwalk, and SBC of Branford/Milford/Southport.
Soup & Bisque
This is one of our favorite categories and this year it features Cask Republic of Stamford/New Haven, Liquid Lunch of Milford/Shelton, Local Kitchen and Beer Bar of Fairfield/Norwalk, Old Post Tavern of Fairfield, Parallel Post of Trumbull, Soup Thyme of Monroe, Tikkaway Grill of New Haven, Sam’s American Bistro of Stamford, Geronimo of Fairfield/New Haven, and Osteria Romana of Norwalk.
More About Chowderfest 2015
Chowdafest raises funds for Community Plates, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger through the rescue of food from restaurants, grocery stores and farms. Attendees pay to be a judge. Kids and adults alike get a spoon, ballot and pencil, then experience unlimited sampling rating each chowder, soup and bisque they try.
Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is sponsored by: AAA Northeast, Aquafina, BlumShapiro, Cabot Creamery, City Carting, CT Bites, Dunkin Donuts, HamletHub, Kids Helping Kids, MINI of Fairfield County, New Milford Farms, Ocean Spray, OmNomCT.com, Pepperidge Farms, Peapod, PEZ, Sustainable America, Tostitos, The Beat Magazine, The Farmer’s Cow, Vegware, WEBE 108 and Westminster Bakery.
Dan and Kristien Del Ferraro
OmNomCT 
I’ve attended since one of the first Woodstockian Chowdafests at Unitarian Church many years ago – but Outdoors in October on the shoreline in Connecticut – really? Plan for a rain/snow/noreaster/hurricane alternative date! Hard to believe that no interior venue was possible?
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We know what you mean, Rick, we do. Here’s the thing. It grew so big that even the Webster Arena couldn’t hold it. So, this will help with space and parking is also free, so that’s good. But, we get you with the temperature. We think it’ll be okay, though. Let’s just hold off on hurricane talk, lol. No moreeee!
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It really worked out this year. The weather was beautiful and there was ample space for people to move around. Having the water facing the event was a bonus. It turned out well.
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Yes, we were very happy with it! So great!
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I think the main problem that Jim faced was how popular it became. He held it in Bridgeport in the Arena, but even that was too tightly packed. When he held it outside at Calf Pasture Beach, it was spread out and didn’t seem too crazy with people smooshing up against others.
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