Champion of Chowder Month announced
Thank you to everyone who responded to support local restaurants, merchants and keep the spirit of the 32 annual Chowderfest alive and well during the COVID 19 pandemic. The focus in 2020 was to raise awareness for the important role that local dining and in-person shopping play in the community as well as to drive direct support to the competitors by purchasing chowder.
With over 3100 votes cast online through registered email, the restaurant with the most votes received the honor for overall Grand Champ. The 2020 Chowdermonth Champion was awarded to Cluck’N Crabs located on Mill Creek Road in Manahawkin for their Cluck’n Red chowder by President Christopher Schwab of the Anderson Insurance Agency and Southern Ocean Chamber CEO Lori Pepenella. The tasters are looking forward to Cluck’N Crabs to join other returning champions on the field for October 2 & 3 2021. Thank you to all the Chowdermonth competitors Lefty’s Tavern, County Kettle Chowda, Terrace Tavern, Surf City Hotel, Ott’s Good Earth Garden, Tucker’s Tavern, Daddy O, The WooHoo, The Gateway, Polly’s Dock & Clam House, Daymark, Birdy’s Cafe and Artisan Market, The Arlington, The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House, Roberto’s Dolce Vita, Dune 18, Kubel’s Too, Panzone’s Pizza, Buckalew’s, ScoJo’s, Howard’s, La Bamba, Chicken or the Egg and Living On the Veg.
By Chowder feasting at home or by adding chowder to their dine-in order, patrons could celebrate at their own comfort level. By adding the Virtual Chowder Run+Walk+Bike Challenge, it allowed 134 registered participants from around the country to get outside and earn an inaugural medal. With 85 runners/bikers being from across New Jersey, the rest represented states far and wide including Texas, California, Maine, Tennessee, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont. Leading up to the online closing ceremonies and announcement, the Southern Ocean Chamber held a pop-up shop featuring vintage chowder gear, offering free Chowderfest mugs to anyone who stopped by on the way to grab chowder. 2020 Official Chowderfest Merchandise can be purchased online through October 15. To find out more about 2020 Chowdermonth, listen to the playlist, view closing ceremonies, visit the interactive map for dining and shopping options, go to https://chowderfest.com/
The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce thanks all who participated in making this unique situation so positive including 2020 sponsors The Sandpaper, AtlantiCare, Atlantic States Group, Anderson Insurance, G Anderson Agency Beasley Media Group, and New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism.
Written by Lori Pepenella, CEO