Kinsale Good Food Circle wants your help to find the best chowder chef in Ireland. A representative from each of the 32 counties will compete for the title of “All-Ireland Chowder Champion†at the 5th annual All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off 2015. Everyone attending the event will have a chance to vote for their favourite chowder-chef as sponsored by Clona.
Building on the huge success of last year’s Chowder Cook-Off, Ireland’s gourmet capital & Best Small Town is pleased to announce that this year’s event will take place at Acton’s Hotel, Kinsale on Sunday 19th April from 2 to 4pm. The All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off will feature chefs from 32 professional restaurants, each selected to represent their county, in competition for the title of All-Ireland Chowder Champion.
The All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off is the highlight of a two day Family Festival that will take over the streets of Kinsale on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April. This popular annual event sees the town transformed into an open-air street market, with food stalls and family fun around the town. Local businesses will offer samples and take-home food for under €5, and there will be something all age groups.
Members of the public will be the judges in the All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off. Everyone will be given a voting card at the entrance, which entitles them to sample all chowders from the individual stalls, before casting their vote for the All-Ireland Chowder Champion 2015.
How to choose the best chowder? Do you like a lobster-stock base, topped with a swirl of cream, or a spicy bowl laden with mussels and a hint of coconut and chilli? You can be the judge! You the public will decide - Tickets are €10 each, making it an unusual and affordable Sunday lunch option!
Liam Edwards, Chairman of Kinsale Good Food Circle said “The All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off has become a much-loved event on Kinsale's annual calendar. A thriving fishing port, famous for its gourmet restaurants, and an anchor destination of the Wild Atlantic Way, Kinsale is the natural home for this prestigious national competition. We extend a warm welcome to visitors from every county in Ireland, and from overseas. May the best chef winâ€!

Competition among chefs is keen. The winning chef will not only be crowned All-Ireland Chowder Champion, but will also receive a customised trophy and be invited to Newport, Rhode Island, Kinsale’s transatlantic twin town, next summer as a guest chef. The 2014 winners, Fitzpatrick’s Restaurant, Dunleer, Co Louth will represent Ireland this summer.
Tickets for Sunday’s All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off from 2 to 4pm at Acton’s Hotel are available from Finishing Services +353 (0)21 4773571 (office hours) or at the door on the day. Tickets entitling holders to samples of all chowders are €10 each.
For further details contact Maria O’Mahony, Finishing Services +353 (0)21 4773571 (office hours) or check out http://www.kinsalerestaurants.com/event/5th-ireland-chowder-cook or www.facebook.com/Good.Food.Circle