One of my favourite food events of the year has always been the Ocean Wise Chowder chowdown and after a 3 year hiatus it returned earlier this month with 11 chefs featuring many delicious chowders! Each chowder was paired with a beer from a local craft brewery.
There was a panel of judges as well as a people’s choice voting system.
The winners of the judges picks were:
This sustainable seafood celebration brought together accomplished chefs and seafood enthusiasts for an evening of great food, craft beer, and one epic chowder showdown.
And the Winners Are
2023 Chowder Champion Winner: Chef Tyler Prevette from Tableau Bar Bistro for his Smoked Geoduck Chowder
Amanda of Moody Ales, pouring the beer that was paired with Chef Tyler’s winning chowder.
Chef Tyler might have gone home with the 2023 Chowder Champion award, but he left behind a new love of local geoduck for a lot of Chowder Chowdown attendees!
Chef Tyler’s Smoked Geoduck Chowder was generously sponsored by local seafood supplier – Organic Ocean Seafood.
People’s Choice Award Winner: Chef Chris Andraza from Lift Bar and Grill for his Smoked Pacific Oyster Chowder.
Serving up his signature Smoked Oyster Chowder, Chef Chris brought crowd pleasing flavours and a quintessential BC Ingredient to this year’s chowder showdown.
Best Chowder and Beer Pairing Winners: Chef William Lew from Club Versante and Superflux Beer for their “135°W to 155°W and 35°N to 42°N” Chowder and Easy Tiger Pale Ale Pairing.
With the help of Superflux Beer, Chef Will transported guests into the realm of ocean conservation through his impeccable presentation, an homage to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and incorporation of local, sustainable ingredients.
Chef Will’s sustainable seafood chowder was generously sponsored by local seafood supplier – Organic Ocean Seafood
The judges picks are not always the same as mine as I look for different things such as taste on the palate and such; shout out to Chef Behshad for his C Prime Dungeness Crab Chowder; and Chef Garett of the Fairmont Banff for his Seafood Chowder as well as Chef James Heras of 7 Seas Fish Market for his BC Dungeness Crab Chowder Bisque topped with caviar.
The Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown made its grand return to Vancouver at UBC’s Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. Eleven chefs competed, three chowders were awarded, and over 300 seafood lovers gathered to support local sustainable seafood!
This sustainable seafood celebration brought together accomplished chefs and seafood enthusiasts for an evening of great food, craft beer, and one epic chowder showdown. The Emcee of the evening was Chef Jade Berg. Make sure to get your tickets early for next year’s Chowder Chowdown event.
By: Richard Wolak