11th Annual New England Chowdafest (Westport)

Tickets are now on sale for the 11th Annual Chowdafest competition presented by Stop & Shop. It will be held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport Connecticut on Sunday September 30, 2018 from 11am to 3pm. “Come early and definitely come hungry” can often be heard from Jim Keenan, executive director of the event.

Each year, a record breaking crowd attends to determine which restaurants have the best chowder, soup & bisque in New England. Chowdafest features up to 40 award winning restaurants in five different categories: Best New England clam chowder, Best Traditional clam chowder (reserved for Manhattan, Rhode Island and Shoreline clam chowders only), Best Creative Chowder, Best Soup; Bisque and Best Vegetarian entry (can be a chowder, soup or bisque). Keenan says the categories are necessary as you can’t compare a New England clam chowder to lobster bisque to chicken noodle soup.

Yankee Magazine has named Chowdafest as one of the “top events of the season” for the past two years and also named it just one of eight “not to be missed events in 2018”. Adults and kids alike are an official judge, enjoying unlimited sampling and rating everything on a scale from 7 to 10.5. The highest average rating in each category is declared champion. Unlike many food competitions with a selected panel of judges determines the winners, Chowdafest prides itself on being a true people’s choice event as well as being a “true value”, said Keenan. “Where else can you enjoy unlimited sampling, plus our incredible Italian and Mexican themed sections, free beverages and a sweet treats section, all for just 20 clams?”

Cost: General Admission $20.00. Kids ages 6-12 are just $5. Free parking