Competition features multiple chowder options prepared by top chefs from various downtown and local restaurants, beer & wine tastings, and more 

ITHACA, NY NOV. 30, 2021 — Get your palates ready for Downtown Ithaca’s 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off happening this Saturday, Dec. 4, on and around the Commons.

A person serving Chowder at a past Downtown Ithaca Chowder Cook-Off.

From 12 to 4 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a variety of traditional and contemporary chowders at booths located outside on and around the Commons and then vote for their favorites. All of the chowders are freshly prepared by some of the best chefs in the region. Beer, wine, and cider tastings, and locally produced honey and skincare vendors will be part of Saturday’s event, too!

For chowder fans who want to avoid festival-sized crowds but still looking for an opportunity to taste gourmet chowders, there’s an option for them. Now through Friday, Dec. 3, ahead of Saturday’s grander event, participating downtown restaurants will be serving bowlfuls of chowder on their dine-in menus.

No matter which of these options folks choose to enjoy chowder, they’ll have the opportunity to vote in the chowder competition. Culinary experts from the participating restaurants will be competing for your votes to earn these coveted honors — Best Meat, Best Vegetarian, Best Seafood, and Best Traditional Clam.  Chowder Cook-Off voting ballots will be available at the participating restaurants and at the Chowder Cook-Off ticket booth.

 Tompkins Trust Company presents the 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance organizes the event.

“We look forward to the Chowder Cook-Off every year, and we’re certainly thrilled to be able to organize it in a safe and socially distanced way as opposed to canceling it this year. The Chowder Cook-Off competition is typically fierce but friendly, so we’re expecting many tasty chowders that everyone may enjoy. We’re doing things a bit differently, though, to help keep the community safe and healthy and support our local businesses. This year, chowder will be available at some downtown restaurants throughout the week. Then, on Saturday, multiple restaurants will serve their chowders from booths on and around the Commons. Plus, we’ll have farmers, beer, wine, cider, and specialty product vendors during Saturday’s event,” says Scott Rougeau, DIA special events director.

The 11th Annual Chowder Cook-Off is part of the Downtown Ithaca Winter Lights Festival happening Friday, Dec. 3 – Saturday, Dec. 11 on and around the Commons. For more the Chowder Cook-Off information, including a list of participating locations and to purchase event tickets, visit downtownithaca.com.