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Norwalk's Chowdafest Announces Contest Winners

NORWALK, Conn. – Thousands of chowder loving foodies from all over Connecticut converged at Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach to determine the state’s best chowder, soup and bisque at Chowdafest.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of www.chowdafest.org

They got their spoons, their pencils and their ballots and off they went to sample 30 different entries. They rated each entry on a scale of 7 to 10 to determine the winners of four different categories. The restaurant with the best overall average in their category was declared champion.

Voters chose Donovan’s of South Norwalk for its New England clam chowder, winning for the third consecutive year. Norwalk restaurants took all top three awards with O’Neill’s coming in second, narrowly missing first and new comer Sparks Sports Grill taking third place.

Gray Goose of Fairfield took first place in its first Chowdafest competition winning the traditional chowder category for Manhattan and Rhode Island clam chowders only. It was the clear winner over runner-up Liquid Lunch of Shelton & Milford, which finished second last year, with its Manhattan clam chowder. Third place was Dunville’s of Westport, which was the category's previous champion, also with a Manhattan entry. Westfair Fish & Chips of Westport finished with the top rated Rhode Island clam chowder.

The very popular Creative Chowder category was exceptionally close as eight restaurants showcased their culinary skills. The Spread from South Norwalk took top honors for its chorizo and shrimp chowder, which was also the highest rated entry for the entire event. Taking second was Norwalk’s Brewhouse restaurant, which won this category previously. Third place was Liquid Lunch with its Great Pumpkin & Lobster Bisque. Norwalk’s Simply Delicious missed the podium by 0.01 of a point for its lobster and corn chowder.

Newcomer Soup Thyme of Monroe won the Soup and Bisque category with its chicken pot pie soup. “I’m so glad we finally entered,” said Ron Lee, owner. “We’ve been invited for several years and I’m thrilled we could finally compete.” Tikkaway from New Haven came in second with its Chicken Cilantro Bisque. Third place finisher was Local Kitchen and Beer Bar of Fairfield & Norwalk with its Thanksgiving Harvest Bisque. LobsterCraft of Darien had the highest rated Lobster Bisque.

Attendees also got to sample craft beer, wine and crackers, farm made ice cream and even birthday cake from presenting sponsor Stop & Shop which was celebrating  its 100th anniversary. Tim Curry’s Motown band entertained the crowd. Kids decorated chef hats and got to meet “Goldie,” the goldfish from Pepperidge Farm.

“We’ve been to all seven Chowdafests...” said Barbara Leon of Norwalk, “and this is definitely the best yet. The crisp autumn weather was perfect for hot soup. I loved that there was so much more room to get around and when you think of chowder, you think of the shoreline and holding the event at the beach made everything idyllic. I can’t wait until next year.”

Final attendance and donation figures are still being tabulated. Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, benefits Community Plates in an ongoing effort to eliminate hunger. For additional information about Chowdafest, visit http://www.chowdafest.org or email event chairperson, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com.

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