Four Newport Businesses to Compete at Great Chowder Cook-Off

NEWPORT, RI, June 5, 2015 – Newport Waterfront Events’ 34th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off, the original and longest running chowder championships in the country taking place this Saturday, June 6th from noon to 6:00 p.m. on the North Lawn of Fort Adams State Park, will feature four Newport businesses competing for chowder glory. The Barking Crab and chef Joshua Brown, as well as Scratch Kitchen & Catering led by chef Kyle Bennett and McGrath’s Clambake & Catering with its chef, Rob Rodrigues, will all be stirring it up in the “Clam” category while The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar led by chef Chris Ferris will be representing the locals in the “Seafood” category.

“All of the local restaurants should get ready for some thick competition at this weekend’s Great Chowder Cook-Off,” said Mike Martin, Festival Director for Newport Waterfront Events, a division of Waterfront Productions. “The ‘Clam’ category is especially wide open after Stefano’s Seafood Restaurant of Long Beach Island, New Jersey won for the third straight time last year which triggered automatic induction into the Chowder Hall of Fame and the retirement of its chowder recipe from the competition.”

The spirited cook-off features all-you-can-eat “chowda” by renowned chefs who work at restaurants, catering companies and institutional dining facilities. The chefs and their teams serve sumptuous samples to the thousands of festival attendees who also act as judges. The awarding of the coveted titles of “Best Clam” and “Best Seafood” chowder, along with prize money to the top three winners in each category, tops off a fun-filled day for the chowder creators as well as the tasters.

The Great Chowder Cook-Off also offers other fun ingredients, including the “Clam Cake Chow-Down” eating contest, Oyster Shuck & Slurping Contests, live music from multiple stages featuring Rhode Island’s favorite reggae band, The Ravers, and a variety of activities for the kids.

The Newport Oyster Festival returns as well with the Ocean State’s own Matunuck Oyster Farm serving up the best of local shellfish and seafood specialties Farmer’s Market style and paired with beer, wine, spirits and live music.

Tickets for the Great Chowder Cook-Off are available at the advance ticket price of $20 through today, June 5th and day of tickets will be $25. The limited quantity tickets are almost sold out for the Chowdahead Club featuring the “Chowder Power Hour” where the hardcore “chowda” fans can enjoy an early, all-access experience an hour prior to the event’s official noon start. Children are admitted free to the Great Chowder Cook-Off if under the age of 12 and accompanied by a paid adult. Purchase tickets at www.newportwaterfrontevents.com, order by phone by calling 800-745-3000 or stop by the Newport Waterfront Events Box Office, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, during business hours

For more information about the Great Chowder Cook-Off, please visit www.newportaterfrontevents.com or contact the Newport Waterfront Events team at 888-900-8640.

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