Chowdafest Setting Sails for Norwalk This Fall. New England’s premier culinary competition, Chowdafest, will be moving outdoors to Calf Pasture Beach Park in Norwalk, Connecticut on Sunday, October, 12, from Noon to 4 p.m. The move was predicated by reaching capacity this past winter at the Webster Bank Arena where the event was previously held for the past two years.
“We stranded a lot of foodies and chowder lovers when the fire marshal said we reached arena capacity,” said event organizer Jim Keenan referring to last February when the event was last held. “Moving outdoors triples our space and gives more room for all the chowder and soup fans. The timing and location are ideal. October has nice weather and is just cool enough to remind us colder weather is on its way and soup season is here! I’m not sure we could ask for a better location than a beautiful waterside park.”
Keenan worked with officials at Norwalk over the past several months to bring the event to the city where six of the past 12 Chowdafest winners reside. “One has to think of Norwalk as the Chowder Capital of Connecticut,” Keenan added.
With the event moving to the fall, the competition is more state-wide than ever as many of Connecticut’s shoreline and seasonal favorites can now participate. Restaurants from Greenwich to Mystic to Hartford are slated to participate.
The competition features four categories:
- New England Clam
- Traditional Chowder (for Manhattan and Rhode Island chowders only)
- Creative Chowders
- Soup/Bisque
Nine restaurants are featured in each category.
Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, benefits Community Plates on the ongoing effort to eliminate hunger. Admission for the event is just $15 for adults at the door (save $5 when purchased online) $5 for kids (6-12 years old). Kids also get a free chef hats, stickers, temporary tattoos, while supplies last. For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email event chairperson, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@optonline.net
