Stella Blues Simmering for the Chance at Chowder Cook-Off Glory

Warren's Stella Blues Restaurant & Lounge is competing again this year at the The Newport Yachting Center’s 30th Annual Knorr^® Great Chowder Cook-Off.

The Chowder Cook-Off is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2011 from noon – 6 p.m. Stella Blues Restaurant & Lounge and its chef, Brian Aspesi, competing in the “Clam Chowder” category with its Stella Blues World Famous Chowder recipe.

“I know Stella Blues is looking to better its third place finish in last year’s competition,” said Mike Martin, Director of Newport Waterfront Events at the Newport Yachting Center.  “They’ll sure have their hands full against close to two dozen competitors in all categories, including last year’s winners Tony’s Seafood Restaurant from Florida and Michael’s Seafood from North Carolina who will both be attempting a third win and automatic induction into the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame.” 

Martin added that attendees will also enjoy a number of newcomers hoping to stir things up, including Stefano’s Seafood restaurant from Long Beach Island, New Jersey and the Melville Grille located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

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

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.

There are contests, entertainment and kids' activities,a marketplace and other activites.

This year, the gates will open at Noon and the celebration will continue until 6 p.m. when the winners in each major category will be announced.  Ticket prices for the Knorr^® Great Chowder Cook-Off are $20 in advance for adults with a $25 price in effect after Friday, May 27.  New this year is a one-hour head start and all-access Chowdahead Club experience with an advance ticket.  Children under the age of 12 are admitted to the event for FREE with a paying adult.

 For more information and tickets, please visit newportwaterfrontevents.com or contact the Newport Yachting Center at (401) 846-1600.  For advance tickets and special discounts please visit newportwaterfrontevents.com.  Tickets can also be purchased as walk ups seven days a week at the Newport Yachting Center Box Office on 4 Commercial Wharf (off America’s Cup Avenue) in downtown Newport.