Chowdafest Competition Heats Up

The talent of several Connecticut Magazine’s 2014 Reader’s Choice award winning restaurants will be showcased at the sixth annual Chowdafest competition on Sunday, Feb. 2.  

Among the restaurants participating is The Spread in Norwalk, located at 70 North Main St., recognized as the best new restaurant and appetizers in the state.  They also came in second for overall excellence and cocktails plus ranked as third best brunch. 

The Spread will compete in the "creative chowder" category at Chowdafest.

Another award winner is Bernard’s of Ridgefield, voted best overall restaurant in the state.  They were also ranked as the second most romantic restaurant and for having the second best wine selection. 

Chowdafest will also feature Fairfield’s Mecha Noodle Bar voted as best Asian restaurant and second best “hidden gem."  

Also spicing up this year’s Chowdafest competition is Tikkaway Grill in New Haven which was recognized as the third best Indian restaurant in Connecticut and will be competing in the soup & bisque category.  

Super Duper Weenie of Fairfield won second place for best road food and will be entered in the new traditional category exclusively for Manhattan and Rhode Island chowders.  

These restaurants will be up against steep competition as this year’s Chowdafest competition features a total of 32 entries from 29 restaurants, including Donovan’s of Norwalk, defending New England clam chowder champion. 

The event is an annual fundraiser benefiting Connecticut Food Bank where attendees sample decadent chowders, soups and bisque, then rate each soup which determines the winners.