MYSTIC — Locals are being encouraged to shake off the winter blues and join friends, fellow community members and tourists at the ever-popular popular Cabin Fever Festival and Charity Chowder Cook-Off which returns to Olde Mistick Village next weekend for the 21st year.
The cook-off typically attracts thousands of visitors and taste-testers to the region, eager to sample the dozens of delicious chowders served up inside one of the village’s many unusual shops.
The village’s signature charity event, all proceeds from the cook-off will benefit Always Home, a non-profit agency dedicated to preventing family homelessness in eastern Connecticut.
“We couldn’t be more grateful,” said Always Home Executive Director Tricia Cunningham on a phone call Thursday afternoon, “and we couldn’t do it without all the merchants and restaurants who participate — or our sponsors.”
The cook-off, set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, from noon to 4 p.m., will feature many of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, and eateries — including Westerly High School’s Highland Grille — all serving up their signature chowders.
Other participants include Pop Over Eatery, Trattoria Amalfi, Mystic Fish Camp, Mystic Aquarium and OVG Hospitality, Jealous Monk, Toast & Tonic Creative Kitchen, The Spot Cafe, StoneRidge, Masonicare at Mystic, Rocks 21 and the Irons Restaurant at Hilton Mystic.
The chowders will be judged by a panel of judges along with the visitors.
Visitors to the village will be given ballots to vote for the winner of the coveted “People’s Choice Award” for “Best Overall Chowder.”
Judges will determine the winners in four categories, according to organizers: “Most Creative Chowder,” “Heartiest Chowder,” “Best Use of Regional Ingredients” and “Tastiest Chowder.”
“When folks purchase their tickets they will get a map/ballot so they can vote for their favorite [chowder] to be considered for ‘Peoples’ Choice Award,'” Cunningham said.
Awards for the chowder competition will be announced at 5 p.m. in the village’s Meeting House when a check will be presented to staff members from Always Home.
For the past 25 years, Always Home has provided case management services and emergency housing assistance to local families with minor children who are at risk of becoming homeless. The non profit assists more than 400 families to sustain housing.
“Year after year,” said Cunningham, “the number of families we service and the amount of financial assistance we offer increases so events like this are important to us.”
“It’s such a great event,” she added, “and such a wonderful way for people to come out and support not only Always Home, but all the great local restaurants.”
The restaurant owners and caterers, Cunningham said, “really step up.”
“They come out on a Saturday,” she said, “and I know that’s a big thing. They always said ‘Yes’ and we are really grateful.”
“We of course, are always looking for volunteers,” she added, sharing a link for the Always Home volunteer page:
https://www.alwayshome.org/upcoming-events
For more information visit https://www.oldemistickvillage.com
Dining and Cooking