Kinsale to Host National Chowder Cook Off

29 March 2011

Kinsale, Ireland's seafood capital, has announced that it is set to host the first ever National Chowder Cook-Off, in a bid to find Ireland’s most talented chowder chef.

 

The event, which will take place on Sunday May 22nd 2011 will also incorporate a 'celebrity chef chowder cook-off - where three of Ireland’s best known chefs will go head to head in a public cook off in the grounds of Actons Hotel in the town.

 

Martin Shanahan of Fish Fishy, Kinsale and RTE’s Martin's Mad About Fish' and the upcoming follow up programme 'Martin’s Still Mad About Fish': Ross Lewis, Michelin starred chef at Chapter One Restaurant in Dublin; and Paul Flynn, The Tannery Restaurant in Waterford, winner of Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year and Georgina Campbell Chef of the Year will compete against each other in a fantastic, not to be missed,,cook off contest. This event will be MC’d by broadcaster Derek Davis, ambassador for the Failte Ireland National Food Strategy and lifelong ambassador for Kinsale itself!

 

The National Chowder Cook-Off will see 20 top professional restaurant chefs, or those producing popular commercial chowders throughout the country, compete for the coveted title of National Chowder Champion.

 

Each competing chef will be hosted by a local Kinsale restaurant who will offer their facilities, support and even their own brown bread as an accompaniment. The chefs will then serve the chowder from individual stalls in the grounds of Actons Hotel for judging. 

The winning chef will not only be crowned National Chowder Champion, but will also receive a customised trophy and an all-inclusive package stay in Kinsale for the renowned Kinsale Gourmet Food Festival 2011 - including tickets to all events, meals, plus accommodation for two people for two nights during the festival. The October event, now in its 35th year, is one of the highest regarded and most popular festivals on the Irish events calendar.

 

Hal McElroy, Chairman of Kinsale Chamber of Tourism, the organisers of the event said "Being renowned as Ireland's seafood capital, Kinsale offers the perfect platform to showcase the wealth of talent that exits amongst Ireland's chefs when it comes to chowder recipes. This event is not just a contest but an entire festival supported by local businesses, offering an array of activities for people to participate in. Not to mention the delicious chowders they will be able to enjoy along the way! On behalf of all the people of Kinsale, we look forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors to the town in May for this fantastic series of events".

 

 The town will also host its annual Sea Sunday Service on May 22nd - an ecumenical and inter-faith setting to commemorate those who have died at sea, to pray for the safety of those who work at sea, and to remember all those who work and are involved in rescues at sea.

 

For more information on the Kinsale National Chowder Cook Off, the Sea Sunday Service and all that Kinsale has to offer visit www.kinsale.ie