New England Great Chowder Cook-Off facts for kids

The Great Chowder Cook-Off is a super fun yearly event where chefs compete to see who can make the most delicious chowder! It used to be held at the Newport Yachting Center in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Now, it takes place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. This exciting competition usually happens in early or mid-June.

At first, only chefs from the local area could enter. But now, chefs come from all over the world! Some have traveled from places like Seattle, New York, Atlantic City, California, Florida, North Carolina, and even Ireland.

History of the Cook-Off

How the Event Began

The Great Chowder Cook-Off started in 1981. It was first called the New England Clam Chowder Cook-Off. This was because only New England clam chowder was part of the competition back then.

Over the years, the event grew and changed! A few years later, a "creative" chowder category was added. Then, a "seafood" chowder category was also included. At first, only the New England category gave out awards. But later, awards were given for all categories, starting with the 28th Cook-Off.

Special Moments and Winners

Sponsors have helped the Cook-Off in recent years. Their names are sometimes added to the event's title. The winner of the Cook-Off is announced at the end of the day. Their names also appear in The Newport Daily News the next day.

In 2011, Tony's Seafood Restaurant from Cedar Key, Florida, won the award for best clam chowder. This was their third win in a row, after winning in 2009 and 2010! Chef Eric Jungklaus, the owner of Tony's Seafood Restaurant, was even invited to compete in 2009. Tony's Chowder was so good that it was added to the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame. In 2011, the event director called Tony's "the Greatest Champion."

The Mooring restaurant also won one time. This happened when the Food Network show Challenge was filming. While that show is mostly about baking, it sometimes features other types of cooking contests, like the Great Chowder Cook-Off.

In 2015, the Cook-Off moved to its new home at Newport's Fort Adams State Park. The event was not held in 2020 because of the worldwide pandemic that year.

What Happens at the Event

Getting Tickets

You can buy tickets for the Cook-Off at the event itself. You can also buy them online through the Newport Waterfront Events website. The ticket prices change a little each year. Kids aged 12 and under can get in for free if they come with an adult.

Enjoying the Chowder

Once you pay to enter, you get to taste all the delicious chowder! Competing restaurants provide their chowder for everyone to try. You can also buy drinks, like sodas or other beverages, at the event.

The Chowder Contest

How to Vote

The basic rules for the contest have stayed the same for many years. Each person who attends gets a special voting ticket. These tickets are color-coded for each category:

• Clam Chowder
• Seafood Chowder
• Most Spirited Team (for the restaurant teams that are the most fun!)

Voters then drop their tickets into special bins. Each bin belongs to the restaurant or company whose chowder they liked the most.

Announcing the Winners

The votes are counted about an hour before the event ends. The winners for each category are announced at 6 PM at the event. Their names are also quickly posted on the Newport Waterfront Events website.