Newcomers Sweep Chowderfest Judges' Awards
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| Caroline Cellana scoops to the last drop at a Feb. 24 WinterFest Chowderfest at the Holiday Inn. |
Two of the winning restaurants are new to the city as well.
First Time's The Charm
Judges Award chowder winners are first place, Freight Yard Pub, second place, Red Sauce Ristorante, and third place, the Hot Dog Ranch. The pub is at the Western Heritage Gateway State Park, the "ristorante" is on Ashland Street, and the "ranch" is on State Street.
The chowder-tasting event drew a large crowd to the Holiday Inn. Event organizer Rod Bunt, of the Mayors Office of Tourism and Culture, mixed and mingled with the crowd.
"I'm ecstatic with the turnout," Bunt said. "This is one of the biggest crowds we've ever had."
The crowd had their say in the chowder competition.
"People's Choice" awards were awarded to first place winner Boston Sea Food, second place winner Gramercy Bistro, and third place winner the North Adams Regional Dietary Services Department. Boston Sea Food is located at the Oasis Plaza at the intersection of American Legion Drive and Ashland Street, and Gramercy Bistro is on Marshall Street. The NARH dietary services employees work at the hospital on Hospital Avenue.
The 2006 Judges Panel chowder winners were first, Cafe Latino, second, NARH, and third, Steeples. The 2006 People's Choice Awards went to first, a tie between Boston Sea Food and Gramercy Bistro, second, Steeples, and third, Cafe Latino.
<L2>Those who donated an amount of their choice to the Mohawk Theater Renovation Fund were able to cast ballots for their favorite chowder. Chowder tasting was free to all who wanted to sample the thick, steaming soups.
"I Like Chowder"
Among the "tasters" was city resident Hayden Gillooly, 8.
"I like chowder," she said, as she gripped a cup and a plastic spoon. "I'm just starting [with taste-testing] but so far, Red Sauce chowder is excellent."
Norma Crandall and Margie Marusarz occupied two chairs near the Hot Dog Ranch station and spooned chowder.
"This event is so good," said Marusarz.
"We're just getting started but I do have a favorite already," said Crandall.
In many cases, both taster chowder favorites and chef recipe ingredients were kept in confidence.
"A Good Community Thing"
Hot Dog Ranch owner Robert "Bob" Hayden said he did have a "secret ingredient." He was very pleased with the event and his participation, he said.
"This is a lot of fun and look at all the people that are here," he said. "It's a good community thing."
NARH dietary services employee John Charbonneau may have offered a self-fulfilling prophecy early on during the chowder tasting.
"It would be nice if we win again this year," he said. "But I'm not very competitive. I think the event is fun."
Jordan Bassi, 14, and Annie Fischer staffed a Steeples restaurant chowder station. The restaurant is housed inside the Holiday Inn and operated by Ed Bassi.
"I love this" said Fischer. "It's such a great opportunity to get people together."
Ed Ceccherini and his wife Valerie dished out Red Sauce Ristorante chowder samples as the crowds grew around their booth.<R3>
"I am impressed with the crowd and all the people that come out for this," he said, and added that he was happy he'd decided to join the event.
Friendly rivalry went beyond restaurants; Gramercy Bistro owner Sandy Smith and Williamstown's Red Herring restaurant owner Ned Smith are brothers. The idea was to enjoy the event, said Ned Smith.
"You don't have to win to be successful," he said. "I think this is a great event and a lot of fun."
Discerning Palates
Allison Shand, 10, described herself as a "chowder person" and said she planned to sample all the offerings.
"I can tell the difference in the chowders," she said.
Brothers Fred and Christopher Winslow agreed that the event was "cool."
"It gets people together," said Chris Winslow.
"I get to try all kinds of chowder," said Fred Winslow.
City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau termed the event as very enjoyable.
"It's really just so nice to see all these people out," she said.
The Berkshire Food Project serves free lunches at the First Congregational Church several times during the week, and project coordinator Valerie Schwarz and volunteer Doris Sewall brought their chowder to the event.
"This really is great, and wow, it is drawing a huge crowd," said Schwarz.
The project was not among the announced winners but numerous people were overheard critiquing the project chowder and its' good taste and texture.
<L4>The chowder's "secret" was bacon, butter, and cream; in other words, "fat," said Schwarz with a smile.
Pancake Breakfast
WinterFest kicked off with a pancake breakfast at the First Congregational Church. Erik Thomas, his daughter Vanessa, and Vanessa's friend Isabella Massari ventured out early to attend, Thomas said during a stop at the Hoosac Bank "Warm-Up Station."
Isabella and Vanessa devoured two pancakes each and agreed that the food was "good."
"I thought the breakfast was great," Thomas said. "I wish I'd seen more people there."
A city-owned trolley-style bus offered rides from Main Street through the downtown and if a slower, more refreshing atmosphere was desired, David Larabee, David McKay, and McKay's 11-year-old son and horseman Luke McKay were at the ready with a wagon led by Belgian horses "Bob" and "Karen." The horses are owned by Larabee.
Steve McConnell drove the trolley. The vehicle proved quite popular and repeatedly carried passengers on the rides.<R5>
The morning-to-night winter festival included an afternoon Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Choir concert performance and an evening Mayor's Skating Party at the Vietnam Veteran's memorial Skating Rink.
Video of the event will be posted at iberkshires.com during the upcoming week.
