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The cook-off offers all-you-can-eat “chowda” by award-winning chefs representing restaurants and institutional dining facilities throughout the country and across the globe, from the Castle Hill Inn & Resort in Newport, to the Wing King of the Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, NY, Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar in Sarasota, Fla. and Muddy Maher’s in Kinsale, Ireland.

Chefs compete for the coveted title of “best clam,” “best seafood” and “best creative” chowder in the world by serving samples of their sumptuous creations to the thousands of chowder-loving judges. In addition, returning again this year is the “Clam Shack,” the ultimate clam cake competition.

“Whether it’s Cajun seafood, Buffalo wings, Caribbean conch, barbecue brisket or traditional New England, I promise there will be more than one chowder that satisfies the taste buds of everyone at the festival this year,” said Mike Martin, festival director at the Newport Yachting Center.

The event also serves up plenty of fun for all ages, including three stages of live entertainment sponsored by Southwest Airlines and featuring The Nightlife Orchestra, 3 Legged Dog and Pat Cottrell from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shell Stage, Sunset Stage and Party Point Stage, respectively. Other popular bands to perform at 3 p.m. include Diane Blue & The Stellar Dwellers, The Big Payback and Anna’s House.

Strolling acts will include Captain Neal and his Pirate Crew, Ron the Balloon Man, Lobsterman Emlen Drayton and accordionist, Renata Adams. The Amica Family Fun Area will feature sailboat and sailor hat decorating and other children’s activities and games all to benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Adaptive Arts Program.

The Coast 93.3 Kids N Family Coastal Backyard will be building an interactive landscape of fun educational activities for kids and adults. A Sandtasia’s sand sculpture, photos with Clyde the Clam, a Mount Gay Rum tiki bar area and a marketplace with a variety of arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and other specialty items will also add to the festive atmosphere.

A silent auction to benefit “Hugs and Halos/Lucy’s Hearth,” partial beverage concessions to benefit The Autism Project of Rhode Island and partnerships with the Ocean State Parrot Head Club and Literacy Volunteers of Rhode Island are some of the event’s other non-profit affiliations. Amica Insurance has also partnered with United Cerebral Palsy for the event. “Each year we’re able to raise more money for our designated charities and we anticipate passing the $30,000 mark this year,” said Mr. Martin.

Open to chefs who work at restaurants, businesses and institutional dining facilities, the spirited competition for bragging rights and thousands in prize money is a fun-filled day for the chowder creators as well as the tasters.

Last year, The Boat House in Tiverton won first place in the “most creative” category. The restaurant will be competing again this year. Captain Parker’s Pub in West Yarmouth, Mass., took top honors for best clam chowder, while Pike Place Chowder in Seattle, Wash., won for best seafood chowder.

The “Best of the Best” hall of fame competition winner was Davenport’s Bar & Grill in East Providence, while Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille in Cumberland won for best clamcake.

26th Annual Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off

WHERE: Newport Yachting Center, America’s Cup Avenue, Newport

WHEN: Saturday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

COST: $20 for adults, free for kids under 12 with an adult.

MORE INFO: 846-1600 or www.newportfestivals.com

KINSALE CHEF COMPETES IN NEWPORT.

Kinsale Chef Michelle Donahoe — of Muddy Maher’s — is off to Newport for the Great Chowder Cook-off, the first of Newport’s array of summer festivals,.

The 26th Annual Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-off will feature over 3000 gallons of chowder served up by over 30 of the world’s best restaurants and chefs! The restaurants compete for over $10,000 in prizes by entering into one of two Culinary Competitions: First is the Chowdah competition where chefs enter their specialty chowder in one of three categories - best clam, seafood or creative chowder! Second is the Clam Cake Competition where chefs fry up the fluffiest and heartiest Clam Cake recipes!

Good luck to Michelle and Muddy’s!