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The Polar Seltzer Great Chowder Cook-Off Announces "Ten Clams Off" Day-Of Event Tickets For Limited Time

March 4, 2014 – The 33rd Annual Polar Seltzer Great Chowder Cook-Off presented by Stop & Shop, to take place on Saturday, June 7th at the Newport Yachting Center on America’s Cup Avenue in downtown Newport, Rhode Island, announces it is offering “Ten Clams Off” its $25 day-of event ticket for a limited time.  The discounted, $15 ticket to the original, largest and longest running chowder championships in the country also includes membership in limited quantities into the Chowdahead Club featuring the “Chowder Power Hour” where the ultimate “Chowda” fans can enjoy an early, all-access experience an hour prior to the event’s official noon start.  Once Chowdahead Club membership is filled to capacitythe $15 ticket price rises to $20 through Friday, June 6th with the Saturday, June 7th day-of event ticket costing $25.  All tickets include complimentary admittance to the 2nd Annual Newport Oyster Festival taking place adjacent to the Great Chowder Cook-Off.  Children are admitted free if under the age of 12 and accompanied by a paid adult.  To purchase tickets, please visit newportwaterfrontevents.com or order by phone by calling 800-745-3000.

Chowdahead Club membership offers hardcore chowder fans the convenience of navigating the event before the crowds arrive by being granted exclusive access to the festival’s “Chowder Power Hour” at 11:00 a.m., one hour before the gates officially open from noon – 6:00 p.m.  Chowder enthusiasts are invited to meet the chefs, greet participating team members and enjoy the first tastes all of the savory creations.

Open to local, regional and international chefs who work at restaurants, catering companies and institutional dining facilities, the spirited Great Chowder Cook-Off competition for bragging rights and $13,000 in prizes and awards is a fun-filled day for the chowder creators as well as the tasters.

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The event features all-you-can-eat "chowda" from the nation's best chefs who serve samples of their sumptuous creations to the thousands of chowder loving festival attendees who also act as judges.  Chefs compete for the coveted titles of "Best Clam," "Best Seafood," and "Best Creative" chowder with prize money being awarded to the top three winners in each category, including $2,000 each for the first-place winners.

But it is not all about the “Chowda”.  Back by popular demand, the “Clam Cake Chow-Down” eating contest, the Stop & Shop Culinary stage featuring culinary demonstrations, multiple stages of live music, the Amica Family Fun Area and captivating kidSTOPs will be featured throughout the day.

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Also that day and evening, the new Newport Oyster Festival will only be a cherrystone’s throw away just outside the gates at the Newport Yachting Center.  The best of local shellfish and seafood is presented farmers’ market style by Matunuck Oyster Farm and paired with beer, wine, spirits and live music.  The Festival continues into the evening making it a great after-party following the Great Chowder Cook-Off awards ceremony.

After a close competition, last year's Great Chowder Cook-Off winners were "Best Clam" – Stefano’s Seafood Restaurant, Long Beach Island, NJ; "Best Seafood" – Melville Grille, Portsmouth, RI; and "Best Creative" – The Octagon Restaurant, Groton, CT.

For more information, please visit newportwaterfrontevents.com or contact the Newport Yachting Center at (401) 846-1600.

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