Chowdafest is SOUPer this Sunday at Sherwood Island in Westport

Chowdafest – A True Destination Event

 “The weather forecast for this Sunday is ideal.  Sunny, 70 degrees and calling for great chowder, soup & bisque” said Jim Keenan, Chowdafest originator and event director.  “Given advance ticket sales, we're expecting our 10^th annual event to be a record breaker” he added, further supporting why the event has been named a top event by Yankee Magazine for the second consecutive year. 

“Every year we seem to attract chowder fans from all over New England and beyond” said Keenan.  The event has already sold out their “Stay & Slurp” hotel and ticket package for those who make an entire weekend of the event and come as far away as NY, FL and CA to sample the best chowder, soup and bisque in New England.  AAA considers Chowdafest a true destination event, promoting it to millions of their members as a sponsor, giving members a 25% discount on tickets.

When asked what has been the recipe for the event's 10 year success, Keenan says “Great restaurants, terrific sponsors, a wonderful cause, passionate volunteers and thousands of discerning foodies who come year after year with more friends and family”. 

Unlike many other festivals and events, Chowdafest charges an event fee that includes everything versus an admission fee where you pay as you go for anything else.  “Chowdafest is a great value” noted Keenan.  “Unlimited sampling from forty incredible chefs from Manhattan to Maine and as far away as Seattle.  Plus Italian food, Mexican food, beverage sampling and desserts – all for one price – that's a great deal” 

Chowdafest is a true people's event.  Everyone is a judge.  Everyone gets a spoon, ballot and pencil when they arrive.  Then they enjoy unlimited sampling and rate what they try on a scale from 7 to 10.5.  “We don't have a panel of trained palates or culinary experts telling you who has the best chowder or soup.  We let the people decide and being a judge is just plain cool” Keenan said.

Above all, Keenan contributes the success to his magnificent volunteers that starts with his wife, Mary Ellen and daughter Casey.  “They deserve a medal just for putting up with my chowder obsession” he said amusingly.  “There's also a core group of friends who have helped over the years not just to support the cause but out of great friendship”  Keenan says student athlete volunteers from Sacred Heart and Fairfield Universities have also played an important role.  “These kids do a great job and are smart – where else can you help the hungry and eat great food in the process?”.  Other local organizations also pitch in.

Chowdafest's primary beneficiary is Food Rescue US and the event hopes to fund over a half million meals this year alone.  “Food isn't the real problem behind hunger” Keenan says.  “There's enough food but so much of it's either wasted or poorly distributed.  As the name indicates, Food Rescue US literally rescues food from grocery stores, restaurants and farms, then redistributes it to a myriad of shelters that need it.  So supporting Food Rescue not only helps feed the hungry but prevents food from being wasted and filling landfills so it's a very sustainable cause too”

Chowdafest is family friendly where kids get to vote just like the adults! Tickets are available at the door or to save time, tickets can be bought online at www.chowdafest.org/tickets. $20 adults, $5 kids (6-12) and parking is FREE.  AAA members save 25% on an adult ticket either online or at the door (must have card)

For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email event director, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com.

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is sponsored by: AAA Northeast, BlumShapiro, Butterworks Farm, Cabot Creamery, Chabaso Bakery, Chica de Gallo, City Carting, Clover, CT Bites, Copp's Island Oysters, The Farmer's Cow, The Farm Woodbury, Foxon Park Soda, Frontera Foods, Galilean Seafood, HamletHub, Harney & Sons Tea, Hotel Zero Degrees, Kids Helping Kids, Local Food Rocks, Lowe's, Metro North Railroad, MINI of Fairfield County, Mohegan Sun, NECCO, New England Coffee, Ocean Spray, OmnomCT, Peapod by Stop & Shop, People's United Bank, Ready Pac Foods, Revol Mix, Tate's Bake Shop, WEBE 108, Westminster Bakery and Yankee Magazine.