32nd annual Boston Harborfest Chowderfest - 2013
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Next edition
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Usually held around early August.
Based on 11 past editions
Event Details
- Date & Time
- Sunday, July 07, 2013 · For 2013, the event ran from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Price
- $12 adults, $8 children under 12 (children 2 and under free); online tickets with $1 fee
Programme
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City Hall Plaza
Chowder competition with public ticket vote: Anthem Bar + Kitchen, Hyatt Harborside Grill (winner), Ipswich Clambake Company, Marriot Waterline, Wyndham Beacon Hill; Chart House (Hall of Fame, not competing). Juggling show by Ryan Dekoe and Stephen King.
Competitive New England clam chowder cook-off between Boston restaurants for the title of "Boston's Best Chowder"; over 2,000 gallons served; tasters vote. Competitors have included Anthem Kitchen + Bar (previous winner), Hyatt Harborside Grill, Ipswich Clambake Company, Wyndham Beacon Hill, Waterline and Chart House (three-time winner, serving its Hall of Fame recipe).
Chowder tasting from vendor booths.
Chowder tastings from participating restaurants with voting; tastings of Chart House's Hall of Fame chowder (not eligible for voting).
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Chowderfest: New England clam chowder cook-off; tasters vote for their favourite for the title "Boston's Best Chowder".
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At the close of the event the votes are tallied and a winner is announced
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10:00 am
Ticket sales usually begin at the ticket booth
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Also on the programme
For 2013, the event ran from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
City Hall Plaza
1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA
Clam chowder samples from participating restaurants, unlimited tasting, public vote and announcement of the winner at the close.
About This Event
The Chowderfest is a competitive New England clam chowder cook-off between Boston's top restaurants, all vying for the title of "Boston's Best Chowder", held as part of Boston Harborfest (a six-day festival, 2-7 July 2013, around the 4th of July). In 2013 over 2,000 gallons of chowder were to be served on City Hall Plaza on Sunday 7 July to thousands of tasters, who vote for their favourite.
History
Anthem Kitchen + Bar won two of the last three years (defending champion). Chart House was inducted into the hall of fame for winning three times. 2013 winner: Hyatt Harborside Grille.
Boston Harborfest began in 1982 with only 35 activities; in 2013 it had over 200 events and attracts over 2.5 million people. It was started to draw local attention to the city's historical significance over the 4th of July. In 2012 Anthem Kitchen + Bar won best chowder against competitors including Hyatt Harborside Grill, Ipswich Clambake Company, Wyndham Beacon Hill and Waterline. Chart House is a three-time winner.
The Chowderfest is held as part of Boston's July 4th celebrations and City Hall Plaza is usually packed; a commenter says past years had 10-12 vendors.
The event has become a local July 4th celebration tradition. Harborfest is a week-long celebration of Boston's maritime and colonial history, culminating with fireworks on July 4th at the Charles River Esplanade.
On the menu
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Anthem Bar + Kitchen chowder
By Anthem Bar + Kitchen
Also written Anthem Kitchen + Bar; defending champion, has won the event two out of the last three years; chowder served off to the side with a simple look; its members tried to keep up momentum from last year.
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Hyatt Harborside Grill chowder
By Hyatt Harborside Grill
Winner: top honor, per a posting on Boston Harborfest's Twitter page. Executive chef Tom Domaingue. Handed out samples and crackers.
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Ipswich Clambake Company chowder
By Ipswich Clambake Company
Handed out samples; tent with flowers and American flags.
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Marriot Waterline chowder
By Marriot Waterline
Gave out biscuits along with its chowder; crackers scattered across the table.
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Wyndham Beacon Hill chowder
By Wyndham Beacon Hill
Executive chef Richard D'Amelio checked the chowder temperature: must be at least 140 degrees, this one topped 160, an excellent serving temperature.
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Chart House chowder
By Chart House
Had a tent but was not eligible for voting, inducted into the hall of fame after winning the event three times; still a big hit; gave out promotions to visitors.
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Hall of Fame recipe
By Chart House
Chart House's Hall of Fame chowder recipe; Chart House is a three-time winner.
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Chart House Hall of Fame chowder
By Chart House
Award-winning Hall of Fame chowder offered for tasting; Chart House is ineligible for voting as a Hall of Fame member.
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chowder
Clam chowder served at the vendors' booths.
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Chart House Hall of Fame recipe
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Chart House's award-winning Hall of Fame chowder
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New England style clam chowder
Who's who
Organised by
- Boston Harborfest Posted the winner on its Twitter page; Six-day festival (July 2-7) of which the Chowderfest is part.; Presents the event; Organiser of the ChowderFest
- Liz Pashley Spokesperson for Boston Harborfest.
Taking part
- Anthem Bar + Kitchen Restaurant competing for best chowder
- Hyatt Harborside Grill Restaurant competing for best chowder
- Ipswich Clambake Company Restaurant competing for best chowder
- Marriot Waterline Restaurant competing for best chowder
- Wyndham Beacon Hill Restaurant competing for best chowder
- Chart House Hall of fame restaurant, not in the voting; Three-time winner; serving its Hall of Fame recipe.; Offers tastings of its Hall of Fame chowder; ineligible for voting
On stage
- Ryan Dekoe Juggler
- Stephen King Juggler
Also involved
- Richard D’Amelio Executive chef, Wyndham Beacon Hill
- Tom Domaingue Executive chef, Hyatt Harborside
- Jack Belk Pictured with the jugglers
- Eric Wasserman Pictured with the jugglers
- Betsy Carubba Visitor holding up a chowder sample
- Leta and Frankie Branham Visitors from Dallas, between college visits around the city
- Daria and Dennis Farrell Visitors from Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Contacts
- 1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA Event address
Good to know
- Visitors receive tickets on which they write their vote and drop it in ballot boxes.
- Hall of Fame restaurants (three-time winners) are ineligible for votes.
- Visitors may return for multiple samples.
- Visitors voted on tickets, dropped into boxes; votes were hand counted.
- An overcast gave relief from the heat.
- Tickets: $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12 (ticket page: http://www.bostonharborfest.com/chowderfest.html).
- Tasters vote for their favourite chowder.
- Article published June 6, 2013 by The Daily Meal.
- Boston Harborfest is family-friendly.
- Large bags and backpacks are strongly discouraged during Chowderfest; all bags are subject to search at the ticket gate.
- Visitors vote; Chart House (Hall of Fame member) is ineligible for voting.
- Large bags and backpacks are strongly discouraged during Chowderfest on Sunday, July 7.
- All bags will be subject to search at the ticket gate.
- A 'Confirmed 2013 participants' list is announced but no names appear in the source.
- Entry price mentioned by a reader comment: $13 to get in (2013).
- A reader reported about 4-5 vendors in 2013 versus 10-12 in past years.
- Temperatures and humidity were both approaching triple digits; the plaza was pretty empty.
- A commenter counted about 4-5 vendors this year, versus 10-12 in years past.
- Tickets are sold at a booth set up on the day of the event; they usually go on sale at 10:00 am.
- 2013 ticket prices: $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12.
- Unlimited sampling; visitors vote for the best chowder and a winner is announced at the close.
- A seating area with tables and an adjacent beverage tent is set up.
- Address: 1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA.
- Canceled for 2014.
- Takes place in a gated area on City Hall Plaza.
- An area of tables is set up for sitting, with an adjacent beverage tent.
- Attendance
- Universal Hub: the 'usually packed' plaza was 'pretty empty' in near-100-degree heat and humidity
Everything the announcement says
Every detail, as the festival announced it.
The 32nd annual Chowderfest was held in City Hall Plaza on July 7 (article dated July 7, 2013, Boston.com).
People came from all over to see if Anthem Bar + Kitchen, Hyatt Harborside Grill, Ipswich Clambake Company, Marriot Waterline, or Wyndham Beacon Hill had the best chowder to offer.
Visitors were given tickets on which they cast votes to choose a winner. The top honor went to Hyatt Harborside Grille, according to a posting on Boston Harborfest's Twitter page.
Richard D'Amelio, executive chef for Wyndham Beacon Hill, checked the temperature of the chowder; it had to be at least 140 degrees and this chowder topped 160, an excellent serving temperature.
Jugglers Ryan Dekoe and Stephen King threw pins around Jack Belk and Eric Wasserman; Dekoe and King put on a brief show for people enjoying their samples.
Tom Domaingue, executive chef for Hyatt Harborside, offered a spoon to a woman at the event.
Chart House had a tent but wasn't eligible for voting after being inducted into the hall of fame for winning the event three times; it was still a big hit and gave out promotions to visitors.
A woman handed out a sample made by Ipswich Clambake; its tent sported flowers and American flags.
Anthem Kitchen + Bar has won the event two out of the last three years; as defending champion it kept a simple look, with the chowder off to the side, and did its best to keep up last year's momentum.
The Marriot Waterline gave out biscuits along with their chowder, with crackers scattered across the table.
Hyatt Harborside handed out samples and crackers. Wyndham Beacon Hill had everyone front and center offering their chowder.
Leta and Frankie Branham visited from Dallas between college visits; Daria and Dennis Farrell, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., stopped by while visiting Boston; Dennis Farrell wrote his vote on his ticket. Betsy Carubba held up a chowder sample she had just poured.
Visitors wrote votes on tickets and dropped them in boxes; votes were hand counted by a team behind the scenes. Plenty of visitors went back for multiple samples before voting.
Many visitors escaped the heat as an overcast passed by during the event.
Article '2,000 Gallons Of Chowder At Boston Harborfest' by Caroline Brown, June 6, 2013.
Boston Harborfest, a six-day festival July 2 through July 7, began in 1982 with only 35 activities; this year there are over 200 events throughout the week.
Liz Pashley, a spokesperson for the festival: Boston locals used to leave the city for the 4th of July; Harborfest was started to attract local attention to the city's historical significance.
Events include historical reenactments, walking tours, sunset harbor cruises, free noontime concerts on City Hall Plaza, fireworks, a Children's Day, and the Chowderfest.
The Chowderfest is a competitive New England clam chowder cook-off between Boston's top restaurants, all vying for the title of "Boston's Best Chowder."
Over 2,000 gallons of chowder will be served at the City Hall Plaza on Sunday July 7 to the thousands of tasters who show up and vote on their favorite.
Tickets (http://www.bostonharborfest.com/chowderfest.html) are $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12.
Last year, Anthem Kitchen + Bar won best chowder against competitors Hyatt Harborside Grill, Ipswich Clambake Company, Wyndham Beacon Hill, and Waterline, among others.
Chart House, a three-time winner, will also be serving its Hall of Fame recipe.
The family-friendly festival attracts over 2.5 million people.
Annual Chowderfest, presented by Boston Harborfest.
32nd Annual Chowderfest.
Confirmed 2013 participants: (list not given in the source).
We are pleased to offer tastings of Chart House's award-winning Hall of Fame chowder! As a Hall of Fame member, Chart House will be ineligible for voting.
Please note: Large bags and backpacks are strongly discouraged during Chowderfest on Sunday, July 7. All bags will be subject to search at the ticket gate.
Post 'Even insane Bostonians have their limits' by adamg, Sun., 7/7/2013 - 10:54 pm.
Boston holds a steaming-hot chowder festival as part of its July 4th celebrations.
This year, with temperatures and humidity both approaching triple digits, the usually packed City Hall Plaza was pretty empty today at the Chowderfest.
At one booth, a server joked "Ice-cold chowda heah!"
Comment (johnmcboston): it is not cheap any more, $13 now to get in, and there seemed to be fewer vendors: 4-5 this year versus 10-12 in years past.
The Boston Harborfest ChowderFest, locally called the Chowdahfest, is a competition between restaurants in the greater Boston area for the best New England style clam chowder.
The Harborfest is a week-long celebration of Boston's maritime and colonial history, which culminates with fireworks on July 4th at the Charles River Esplanade.
The Boston Chowderfest takes place in a gated area on City Hall Plaza. A booth is set up on the day of the event to purchase tickets; tickets usually go on sale at 10:00 am.
For 2013, the event ran from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with ticket prices of $12 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12.
Visitors walk up to the canopy of each participating restaurant and are given a sample of clam chowder. You can sample as much chowder as you like and re-try your favorite. When you have had your fill, you vote for the best chowder. At the close of the event the votes are tallied and a winner is announced. An area of tables is set up for sitting, with an adjacent beverage tent.
The style of chowder can vary from thin and soupy with minced clams to extremely thick and creamy with potatoes.
The event has become a local July 4th celebration tradition.
Contact: Boston ChowderFest, 1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA; bostonharborfest.com/chowderfest.html
Sunday of Harborfest week. Visitors walked up to each restaurant's canopy for samples, could re-taste, then voted; votes were hand-counted behind the scenes. 2,000 gallons of chowder were planned. Chart House, a three-time winner inducted into the Hall of Fame, served its recipe but could not receive votes. Anthem Kitchen + Bar had won two of the previous three years. Wyndham's chef Richard D'Amelio noted chowder should hold at least 140 F; theirs topped 160 F. Bags and backpacks were subject to search at the gate.
Festival information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Always check with the organizer before travelling.
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Location
City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02203, Massachusetts, United States
Confirm the venue and access information with the organizer before travelling.
Open in Google MapsPrices and tickets
- Adults
- $12
- Children under 12
- $8
- Admission (per a commenter)
- $13
- Adults (2013)
- $12
- Children under the age of 12 (2013)
- $8
What's included
- Chowder tasting and a vote for your favourite
- Unlimited chowder samples from each participating restaurant, with the right to re-try your favorite
- A vote for the best chowder
How to get tickets
- Tickets via http://www.bostonharborfest.com/chowderfest.html
- A booth is set up on the day of the event to purchase tickets.
- Tickets usually go on sale at 10:00 am.