Chowdafest! Celebrity Chefs Announced

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is proud to officially announce four celebrity chefs who will be giving cooking demonstrations during the event this year. 

Chef Hunter Zampa, at only the age of 13, has already received national attention.  Hunter, an 8th grader from Stamford, recently won the Food Network’s Chopped Teen Talent and with it a scholarship to the International Culinary Schools at the Arts Institute prize that came with it.  

Chef Hunter has also appeared on Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off program, finishing 2nd in this popular Food Network program.  

“I’m excited about coming to Chowdafest.  I hope I can inspire both kids and those interested in cooking for the first time," Chef Hunter said in a release.

After his demonstration, Hunter will visit the Kid’s Cove area where he’ll autograph chef hats that are given FREE to kids.

Locally and Internationally acclaimed Italian Chef Pietro Scotti will also be giving a cooking demonstration.  Chef Scotti is no stranger to Chowdafest as his restaurant, Da Pietro’s in Westport, was a competitor for the first four years.  

Pietro will formally be recognized for his community and charitable support over the years as the first chef inductee to the Chowdafest Hall of Fame.  

The Hall of Fame is new this year and will honor one chef who has stood out and one soup that has wooed the crowds on an annual basis.

Chef Plum is no stranger to foodies and cooking fans alike.  A regular contributor on “Better CT” on WFSB, FoxCT and the Food Network, Chef Plum is also seen on the nationally syndicated “Better Show.”  

A football fan, Chef Plum has been a frequent contributor to the Taste of the NFL, held annually the day before the Super Bowl with the goal of kicking hunger.  He’s also the founder of Plum Luv Foods.  “I’m really looking forward to being part of this fun and important event,” said Plum in the release.  “What’s not to like? You get to kick off your Super Bowl Sunday by supporting the Connecticut Food Bank by sampling great eats from great restaurants and chefs. It’s like the best tailgate party ever.”

The fourth celebrity chef is Chef Forrest Pasternack.  Forrest is the executive chef at Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield.  

He’s recognized as an ardent advocate of “farm to fork” initiatives and for his creative and inventive evolving menu items.  “It’s all about being local and supporting your community,” he said in the release.  

Chef Forrest and his staff pick up ingredients from local farms and markets on a daily basis and will soon begin a rooftop garden at the restaurant.  “Supporting the community also means those who are without food so I’m pleased Chowdafest benefits the Connecticut Food Bank, especially during a time where donations are usually their lowest," said Forrest in the release.

The chefs will appear on the new Clarke cooking stage and cooking demonstrations are co-hosted by popular food bloggers OmNomCT.com and CTbites.com.  Clarke is a Chowdafest sponsor and is New England’s Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliance Distributor with a showroom and test Kitchen located in Norwalk.

Cooking demonstrations are approximately 20 minutes long and are scheduled on the hour.  Additionally, each segment is supported by an event sponsor and each chef’s creations will be able to be sampled after the demonstration. f

Clarke Cooking Stage Schedule:

u 11:30 Teen Chef Hunter Zampa presented by Frontier Soups and Westminster Crackers.

u 12:30 Chef Pietro Scotti presented by Victoria Foods, FIAT of Fairfield County and E.& J. Gallo Wines

u 1:30 Chef Forest Pasternack presented by The Farmer’s Cow and Chabaso Artisan Bakery

u 2:30 Chef Plum presented by Cracker Barrel Cheese and Sierra Nevada Beer

u 3:00  Hall of Fame Induction

u 3:15  Award ceremony presented by Stop & Shop

Chowdafest is the premier culinary competition in Connecticut and second largest such event in all of New England.  It’s an annual fundraiser benefiting Connecticut Food Bank where attendees sample decadent chowders, soups and bisque, then rate each soup which determines the winners.  Admission is just $12 adults and $5 for kids 6-12.  Save $2 per adult ticket with an advanced purchase at any New Haven and Fairfield County Stop & Shop location through Jan. 31st.

Chowdafest is a pre-Super Bowl event held Feb. 2, from 11am to 3pm at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard conveniently off exit 27 on I-95 in Bridgeport.  Chowdafest is presented by Stop & Shop and sponsored by The Farmer’s Cow, FIAT of Fairfield County, World Centric, Cracker Barrel, Sierra Nevada Brewery, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Chabaso Artisan Bakery, Frontier Soups, Victoria Fine Foods, Westminster Crackers, The Trumbull Marriott, Star 99.9, CTbites.com, OmNomCT.com, HamletHub.com, Sustainable America and Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen.