The 2024 @VanFoodster Chowder Challenge has come to an end. Did you try any, or all, of the entries?
The Challenge is over, and the judging and voting has been completed. I was privileged to be one of the Media Judges along with Shelley Hayashi and Rick Green. Each of us had the opportunity to sample the hearty comfort-food classics from the four participating restaurants; Stanley’s Bar & Grill, Chewie’s Oyster Bar, Vancouver Aquarium and Lift Bar Grill.
Each media judge scored the creations based on the following criteria: Overall Taste, Originality and Uniqueness, Presentation and Appearance for up to a maximum of 40 points each, with the total number of points a Chowder Challenge creation could earn is 120 points.
The participating entries were
The Chicken’s Nest Chowder @ Stanley’s Bar & Grill
Tasting on a dreary, wet day sat by the crackling fire the Chicken’s Nest Chowder was a hearty bowl composed of a popcorn-infused chicken chowder nicely seasoned with the warmth of smoked salt, paprika, cumin & coriander. Within a floating crispy potato nest was a soft-boiled quail egg, adding another dimension of flavour and texture. Perched on the side of the bowl, a house-baked garlic knot bread bird gave us something to sop up every last drop.
Candied Salmon Chowder @ Lift Bar And Grill
Chef Chris Andraza was inspired by cocktail-party smoked salmon crostini canapes to create Lift’s Candied Salmon Chowder. The classic cream chowder with chunky candied smoked salmon, bacon & potatoes topped with crispy capers, pickled onion, salmon roe, fresh dill gave a sweet, savoury and smoky representation of the canape, with the crisp crunch of the thin toasted crostini.
Signature Sustainable Seafood Chowder @ Vancouver Aquarium @chefintherain
The Aquarium’s executive chef David Lee has created a moreish, wholesome and sustainably-sourced cream-based seafood chowder featuring the plenty of Ocean-wise flavours. Wild-caught BC Halibut, Wood River Alaskan Sockeye, wild Pacific Cod, Clams, potatoes and more filled the bowl with comfort and the tastes of BC waters.
Mama’s Seafood Chowder @ Chewie’s Oyster Bar
Mama’s Seafood Chowder might be inspired by New England Clam chowder but Chewie’s take on a classic is packed with so much more. With salad on the side, and topped with a crispy fried coconut prawn, the chunky seafood chowder with halibut, scallops, prawns, clams and mussels in a classic carrot, celery, fennel and potato cream base is served in a house-made brioche bread bowl that perfectly held up from start to finish without becoming stodgy or falling apart.
Visit vancouverfoodster.com to find out the how the Judges ranked the creations and how the public voted for the Chowder Challenge 2024