CHOWDER!!! GEEEETT SOME CHEOWDAHH!!!

Yesterday was Chowder Fest in Newport. People come from all over the country to compete! There were some people from North Carolina and another group from Seattle! There are three categories: Seafood, Clam, and Creative. The Mooring has won three times in the clam category, so they cannot compete in that category anymore. They had won the past two years in the seafood category with their scallop chowder (with dill and corn), and were going for a third. Unfortunately, we did not win for a third year. The booth next to us won with their shrimp, crab, and scallop and zuchini and roasted red peppers and carrot chowder. It was SOO good. I hate to admit it, but I actually liked it more than ours. (Shhh don't tell my chef I said that.) I am glad they won. It was just that good. I also tried the Seatlle one from Pike Place. It also had roasted red peppers. Neither of the winning chowders were that thick, and ours was thin as well. When I had a break, I walked around to other booths to try the clam chowders. I gotta admit, they were horrible. Most were floury and thick as glue or too creamy. I really did not like many of them at all. It made me appreciate the clam chowder that we have at The Mooring much more! I spent the whole day running back and forth from our restaurant with hot chowder and scallops and pouring chowder. It was fun though. It was a gorgeous day! I am going into work today and I have to face Adi. He was so convinced we would win, so I don't want to know how he takes the news of third place.