Melville Grille to Compete in Chowder Cook-Off

's chef W. Scott Cowell III will be competing in Newport Yachting Center’s 30th Annual Knorr Great Chowder Cook-Off, which will take place on Saturday, June 4, from noon to 6 p.m.

Cowell will compete in the “Seafood Chowder” category with its Portuguese Fish Chowder.

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.

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. 

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. The “Best Clamcake” winner was Oak Hill Tavern from North Kingstown.

Ticket prices for the Knorr Great Chowder Cook-Off are $20 in advance for adults and 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 seven days a week at the Newport Yachting Center Box Office on 4 Commercial Wharf (off America’s Cup Avenue) in downtown Newport.