ITHACA DECEMBER 10, 2021 — Downtown Ithaca has counted the public’s votes from its 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off held this past weekend, and it’s time to announce the winners. Drum roll, please…
Simeon’s American Bistro walked away with the Best Traditional Chowder crown, and Taverna Banfi, located in Cornell University’s Statler Hotel, was second running up while Mahogany Grill earned a third-place finish in the category.
In the Best Seafood Chowder category, Taverna Banfi was crowned the winner, and the runners-up were Luna Inspired Street Food and Red’s Place. Moving onto the Best Veggie Chowder, Moosewood Restaurant, downtown’s legendary vegetarian eatery, took home the top prize. Northstar House and Newfield’s Seabring Inn were the runners-up.
And, last but not least, the Best Meat Chowder, which had two entries, saw Seabring Inn earn the crown with Monks on the Commons coming in as the runner-up.
The 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off was organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) and was held in conjunction with the Winter Lights Festival presented by Tompkins Trust Company, which ends this weekend with Santa’s Arrival and a pair of silent discos.
“All of our Chowder Cook-Off participants deserve a round of applause for preparing tasty chowders for thousands of people to enjoy. We’re fortunate to have so many talented chefs in our region who bring such innovative concoctions to this contest each year,” says Scott Rougeau, DIA special events director.
Downtown Ithaca’s next major event is the Chili Cook-Off set for February 5 on The Commons. For more information about all of downtown’s events, keep an eye on our Facebook Events Page, or visit www.downtownithaca.com.
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| Downtown Ithaca’s 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off Winners
Best Traditional Clam Chowder: 1st: Simeons 2nd: Taverna Banfi 3rd: Mahogany Grill Best Seafood Chowder: 1st: Taverna Banfi, located in Cornell University’s Statler Hotel 2nd: Luna 3rd: Red’s Place
Best Meat Chowder: 1st: Seabring Inn 2nd: Monks *Only 2 restaurant entries
Best Veggie Chowder: 1st: Moosewood 2nd: Northstar 3rd: Seabring Inn |
Media Contact
Darlene M. Wilber, communications and grant development director
Downtown Ithaca Alliance
ABOUT DOWNTOWN ITHACA’S ANNUAL CHOWDER COOK-OFF: The 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off is presented by Tompkins Trust Company and organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance. This annual tradition features chowder samples prepared by masterful chefs from dozens of local and regional restaurants. The chefs create tasty concoctions for a chance to receive the titles of Best Meat, Best Vegetarian, Best Seafood, and Best Traditional Clam.
ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN ITHACA ALLIANCE: The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a not-for-profit organization charged with the revitalization, development, promotion, and management of downtown Ithaca. For more information, visit downtownithaca.com.
ABOUT TOMPKINS TRUST COMPANY: Tompkins Trust Company is a full-service, locally managed community bank with multiple branches serving the Tompkins County area, Ithaca, Auburn, Cortland, and Syracuse.
