All-American Festivals

(Food Network, 2003-2007) food series

S5E4, "Chowder Festival," finds us in Newport, where perpetual eleven-year-old Jim O'Connor hosts a look at the 2004 Newport Chowder Cook-Off. Greg Davenport of Davenport's Bar and Grill, East Providence, talks about his lobster, shrimp, fish, clam, and scallop chowder. Bill Sousa of The Mooring Restaurant, Newport, shows off his scallop chowder. We see some second unit shots along the Newport waterfront and around the harbor, then we join Bill Silks and Todd Carreira as they harvest oysters. Bill Squid demonstrates quahogging. Then back to the festival, where Jim "helps" judge clam cakes.

The results: Chelo's clam cakes are the number one choice for the third year in a row. The Mooring takes second place in the Creative Chowder category, edged out from first by San Francisco's Blue Mermaid Chowder House. Davenport's secures first place for their Seafood Chowder, and in the Clam Chowder category it's Captain Parker's Pub from West Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

The episode aired on January 4, 2006.