For 34 years, Chowderfest has been a Long Beach Island staple for locals and tourists alike. This year, LBI’s favorite chowder-filled weekend is taking on a new look, and a new name: the Beach Haven Chowder Cookoff.
While the festival has taken on a new name, the itinerary remains the same. Similar to prior year renditions, local restaurants and businesses will be at the heart of the occasion.
If you’re planning to visit Long Beach Island next year, you might want to schedule your trip just in time for the next festival. Read on to learn more about this event and what you can look forward to during your visit!
Photo from The Sandpaper
Schedule of events
Chowder Cook-Off Dates and Times
Keeping with Chowderfest tradition, the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off will be held the weekend before Columbus Day, on October 5th and 6th at Taylor Avenue Waterfront in Beach Haven.
The Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off will span two days. On Saturday, Beach Haven will host Merchant’s Mart from 10am to 5pm. This free event will feature local vendors and artisans from around the island. Merchant’s Mart will offer food, alcohol, live music, and much more!
Sunday will bring the cook-off classic, with chowder tasting from 10 local restaurants. Tickets are $30 and can be bought in advance here. The cookoff will run from 11am-4pm and bring back the beloved chowder tasting!
The Competitors
2023 Champions
Wally’s based out of Surf City, NJ looks to defend their title in the Red Chowder division and Country Kettle Chowda out of Beach Haven, NJ looks to repeat in the White Chowder division.
Photo from NJ Digest
2024 Competitor Spotlight
The competition for best chowder on Long Beach Island is already heating up! Ten local restaurants will compete for the red and white chowder trophies. Get excited for some delicious food by reading up on the competitors and their unique chowder entries.
1. Panzone’s: Panzone’s has been serving delicious pizza and pasta to the LBI community for 44 years! At the Beach Haven Chowder Cookoff, they will present their Smoked Pork Belly Manhattan Clam Chowder, which took second place at last year’s competition.
2. The Chicken or the Egg: CHEGG is a Long Beach Island staple, with a menu composed of everything from omelettes to chicken wings. As far as chowder goes, CHEGG will cook up a New England white with smoked bacon, apples, and hot sauce.
3. Lefty’s Tavern: Located in Barnegat, Lefty’s Tavern boasts both formal and casual fare with a mix of craft cocktails, local beers, and American cuisine. Lefty’s will be serving their former first-place Classic Manhattan Red Chowder.
4. Delaware Avenue Oyster House: Steeped in family tradition, Delaware Ave Oyster House stays true to its roots with fresh seafood and tapas-style appetizers. Their chowder will be a combination of red and white, with Jersey clams, longhots, and pork roll.
5. Wally’s: With one of the most diverse menus on the island, there’s not much that Wally’s cannot do. Their Red Chowder will be filled with hearty vegetables, clams, and fish.
6. Mud City Crab House: Mud City has been serving fresh seafood since 1999. At this year’s Chowder Cookoff, they’ll be entering a classic New England white.
7. Buckalew’s: Occupying one of the oldest buildings on the Island, Buckalew’s has been part of LBI tradition for over a century. They will be entering a classic Manhatten Red with locally sourced clams.
8. County Kettle Chowda: Cozily located in Bay Village, and serving a variety of soups year-round, chowder is their business! Country Kettle will be cooking up a New England White for this year’s competition.
9. La Bamba: The island’s premier Mexican restaurant who is known for their killer fish tacos, will be serving up their southwestern take on Manhattan Red.
10. Joe Pop’s: This Ship Bottom staple who is known for serving up live music and good times has thrown their hat in the ring in the New England white division.
Photo by Asbury Park Press
Vendors
Historically, dozens of LBI restaurants have graced Chowderfest with an array of delicious food and drink. Last year, Chicken or The Egg Award served award-winning chowder, wings, sliders, and drinks. Panzone’s offered pizza and cheesesteaks. There were even Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches, nuggets, salads, and sides.
Giving Back
Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off will continue Chowderfest’s legacy of giving back to the community. This year, Beach Haven Chamber of Commerce is partnering with The Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean County, a volunteer organization supporting food pantries throughout Ocean County.
Last year, the proceeds from Chowderfest enabled The Hunger Foundation to donate $100,000 to 10 local food pantries. Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off will continue this philanthropic legacy, with 100% of the event’s proceeds being donated back to the community.
Plan Your Trip
The Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off is shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend, one you certainly will not want to miss! Bringing a welcome buzz to the off-season, the Chowder Cook-Off is the perfect excuse to visit Long Beach Island, NJ!
Looking for other reasons to visit this off-season? Check our Off-Season guide where we walk through all of our favorite LBI off-season activities!
Need more info on LBI hotel options? Check out our hotel guide which outlines everything you need to know!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I buy tickets for Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off?
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.
Is there parking available at the event venue?
Last year, there was free street and lot parking available for the event venue in Beach Haven. Ungoing updates for this year’s event can be found here.
Can I bring my own chowder recipe to participate?
The official chowder competition is reserved for local Long Beach Island restaurants. If you are interested in being a vendor for the event, you can fill out an application here.
