#chowdafest

Over 30 Restaurants Compete to See Who’s ChowdaBEST @ Chowdafest 2016

  Om nom nom . . .

You know it’s officially fall when Chowdafest, the most badass and decadent chowder fest in New England, comes back to CT. This year Chowdafest continues right at Sherwood Island State Park (the second year there) on October 2 from 11-3. Tickets are a measly $15 or $5 for kids(AAA saves you 20%) . . . and we can guarantee that you’ll eat way more than that in chowders, soups,…

Head over to Sherwood Island State Park today in Westport from 11am-3pm to experience Chowdafest, which “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.”  For the price of a ticket (Adults $15, children (6-12) $5) you get to be the judge and decide who has the best chowder,…

Chowdafest VII 2014: Recap, Winners, and Our Faves at Calf Pasture Beach

Click through to see a full album of competitors, soups, and other good stuff!

This past Sunday just might have been the perfect fall day. The air was crisp (but not too cold), the sun was shining bright, and the leaves had just started to flame into color. Oh, and it just so happened to be the day when Chowdafestscuttled down by the water at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. The same Chowdafest…

Fall is in the air and so is the aroma of steaming chowder and the tantalizing scent of garlic. Autumn is chock-full of festivals, including one that invites you to sample the specialties of Iceland.

Chowdafest, New England’s largest cooking competition, will be held on Oct. 12 at Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach (I-95 exit 16), a new location spacious enough to accommodate the growing fan base; while another popular event, the 10th annual Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival, takes place Oct. 11-12 at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds. The following Saturday, Oct. 18, the fifth annual Iceland Affair and Fire and Ice Music Festival once again will bring fans to Winchester for a rare treat, one of only two such festivals in the United States.

To see the rest of this column please go to

Get ready, Connecticut, because Chowdafest is coming! Chowdafest is that preeminent culinary competition (now in its 7th year) where chefs from all over the state of Connecticut pull out all the stops in the hopes of winning the coveted title of Best Chowder in its class.

This years’ throwdown takes place Sunday, October 12 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm (rain or shine!) at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk (the official Chowder Capital of CT) and will feature 36 delicious varieties of chowder, soup and bisque. Here’s the best part: Not only do you get to sample the creations, YOU are the judge! When you arrive, you’ll be given a spoon, ballot and pencil and then you’ll be set loose to run amok and go chowdawild! See below for competing restaurants and categories.

Not only will there be great food, but it’s a great deal as well. Tickets are just $10 for adults (thanks to sponsors Stop & Shop) when you purchase online (or, $15 at the door), $5 for kids ages 6-12 and the wee ones age 5 and under get in free! But wait . . . there’s more! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist). Not only will there be chowder, soup and bisque to sample, there will also be ice cream, cheese, crackers, beer and wine. While at Chowdafest, look for the Italian section, “Ciao-dafest” and make your way over to the Chowda-Mex section. This event has fun written all over it.

Chowdafest Calf  Pasture Beach Calf Pasture Beach Road Norwalk, CT 06851

Sunday, October 12, 2014 11:00am – 12:00pm VIP Chowda “HOUR”) 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Tickets: $10 Adults (when purchased online; $15 at door) $5 Kids 6-12 years FREE Kids 5 and under

Parking: $5 (Free, with resident pass)

See Chowdafest’s website for more details

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October 2014 Competitors (by category)

New England Clam Chowder Category:

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  Traditional Clam Chowder Category: (Manhattan & Rhode Island only)

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  Creative Chowders Category: (anything but the New England, Manhattan and Rhode Island)

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  Soups & Bisque Category:

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    Chowdafest benefits Community Plates.

Chowdafest sponsors: