Six Newport Restaurants to Compete in Chowder Cook-Off

The Newport Yachting Center’s 30th Annual Knorr^® Great Chowder Cook-Off, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2011 from noon – 6:00 p.m., will include six restaurants from Newport, including The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and its chef, Rob Deluise; Castle Hill Inn & Resort led by chef Jonathan Cambra; the Smokehouse Cafe and its chef, Chris Ferris; the Hotel Viking with chef Kevin Thiele; 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille led by its chef, Jay Bourassa; and the Newport Marriott, and its veteran chef, Eric Steinhauer.

“Right now, the participating Newport restaurants will be competing for bragging rights with more than two dozen other restaurants located in New England and throughout the country, including all three of last year’s winners, the Boat House in Tiverton, Tony’s Seafood Restaurant from Florida and Michael’s Seafood from North Carolina, the last two of whom will be attempting a third win and automatic induction into the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame,” said Mike Martin, Director of Newport Waterfront Events at the Newport Yachting Center.  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.

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 featuring Knorr^® Granulated Bouillon, Knorr^® Sauces and Knorr^® Dips.

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 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 Freemen of the Sea, fund raising activities for local non-profits and a Marketplace with a variety of crafts and specialty items will add to the festive atmosphere.

After a close competition, last year's chowder winners were "Best Clam" – Tony’s Cedar Key Clam Chowder, Cedar Key, FL; "Best Seafood" – Michael’s Seafood, Carolina Beach, NC; and "Best Creative" - The Boat House, Tiverton, RI.  The “Best Clamcake” winner was Oak Hill Tavern from North Kingstown, RI.

This year, the gates will open at Noon and the celebration will continue until 6:00 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.