BEACH HAVEN – Even though Hurricane Ian delayed LBI’s annual Chowderfest, thousands of attendees enjoyed the sunshine without the threat of becoming hot and clammy themselves.
The LBI Chowderfest Festival has been around for more than three decades, with foodies coming to taste-test from near and far. In years past, chowder connoisseurs bought tickets and savored samples to vote on their favorite selections from participating restaurants.
Like many things post COVID-19, festival organizers needed to revise the traditional means of selecting winning chowder entries. Folks took advantage of the whole month of September to take their time in chowing down on chowder at individual eateries. The so-called “chowder-trail” brought in 1,000 check-ins with votes submitted in three separate categories via the internet.
Chris Huch, a familiar face among LBI locals, served as the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Chowderfest. Before announcing the chowder champions, Huch referred back to the reason the 2022 event was moved to a different date.
“We were hit by the remnants of Hurricane Ian,” said Huch. “…A lot of the images that are coming out of the Fort Meyers area remind us of what we went through with Sandy. They are going through the same pain we went through ten years ago.”
Championship plates were presented to winners selected in three separate categories: red, white, and creative. The competing restaurants included Country Kettle Chowda, Daddy O Restaurant & Bar, Dockside Diner, Russo’s Italian Restaurant, The Chicken or the Egg, Tucker’s Tavern, Delaware Avenue Oyster House, LaBamba, and Old Causeway Steak & Oyster.
Representatives from the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce who organized the Chowderfest joined Huch on stage as he announced the champions. Some of the award winners were not present to accept their plate as they had planned to be there for the event’s originally scheduled weekend.
Daddy O Restaurant & Bar secured the victory for its red chowder, while Tucker’s Tavern came in first for the white rendition. The creative category award went to Delaware Avenue Oyster House.
“Fantastic chowder is offered at all of our restaurants,” Huch reminded. “Yes, we’re focusing on chowder because our area is known for our clams and oysters. We put a lot of heart and soul into our chowder but there is a lot to offer in other types of food as well.”
Vendors lined the park overlooking the Barnegat Bay offering the crowds the opportunity to purchase food, drinks, novelties and craft items. Some of the booths featured informational advice on area activities or professional consultations.
Tables set up gave guests the chance to sit and chat, while also listening to live music.
Emily Evancho and Mark Derhammer were having a great time at the Chowderfest. In from the Allentown/Harrisburg area, the couple were staying at Emily’s parents’ house in Spray Beach. They’d just enjoyed a wedding celebration.
Mark wore a hamburger hat on his head. Emily made a fashion statement with a clam headpiece, although she said Mark was the clam chowder aficionado.
People formed lines to take home their share of chowder or gulp it down immediately. Smiling faces of adults and children brought this year’s Chowderfest to a successful conclusion.
The post See Who Dished Out This Year’s Winning Chowder appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.