New Pierce County Chowderfest will have $3 pints of beer, champagne seafood chowder
Twelve local restaurants will each prepare their own chowder recipes for visitors to taste at Gig Harbor’s first ever Chowderfest.
The event put on by the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9. Attendees will walk the downtown district and taste chowder at the different restaurants until 5 p.m.
Tickets for the event are going fast, Carrianne Ekberg, executive director of the GHDWA told the Gateway Feb. 6. Only 150 of the 500 tickets were left. They won’t sell tickets the day of the event.
They’ll have a bunch of “hot chowder for the cold season,” event organizers said on their website.
Chowderfest will kick off Gig Harbor’s restaurant week, March 10 through 17. This is the seventh restaurant week in the harbor, but Chowderfest is a new addition this year.
All ages are welcome.
For $25 dollars you’ll get general admission to taste eight chowders. Each cup is 3 ounces. For $30 you’ll get the “Complete Chowder Experience,” which allows you to taste all 12 chowders.
Attendees will vote for their favorite.
Ekberg said specific award categories have not been finalized yet.
“I think you’ll find the local chefs have put together quite a few unique chowders,” Ekberg said.
Here are the different Chowderfest stops:
- Anthony’s at Gig Harbor (8827 N. Harborview Dr.) will serve a signature house chowder. This stop is for those 21 and older.
- B’s Bagels and Butters (308 Uddenberg) will serve a New England-style corn and lobster chowder.
- Brimstone PNW Smokehouse (7707 Pioneer Way) will serve a brisket and corn chowder.
- Brix 25 (3315 Harborview Dr.) will serve a champagne seafood chowder.
- Devoted Kiss Cafe (8809 N. Harborview Dr.) will serve a traditional New England clam chowder.
- El Pueblito (3226 Harborview Dr.) will serve a chicken tortilla chowder.
- Gourmet Burger Shop (4120 Harborview Dr.) will serve a corn chowder with smoked salmon.
- Millville Pizza (3409 Harborview Dr.) will serve a wood-fired chowder.
- Morso Bistro (9014 Peacock Hill Ave.) will serve a signature house chowder.
- Tides Tavern (2925 Harborview Dr.) has not announced the type of chowder they’ll make. This stop is for those 21 and older.
- Netshed No.9 (3313 Harborview Dr.) will serve a traditional clam chowder.
- Gig Harbor Thai Cuisine (8825 N. Harborview Dr.) has not announced the type of chowder they’ll make.
Those who purchase a ticket for the event will pick up a wristband to wear the day of.
That wrist band will allow attendees to participate in the chowder tasting, but also in activities, shopping discounts and deals on additional food and drink options from over two dozen other participating downtown businesses and organizations that are not making chowder.
That includes $3 pints of beer from 7 Seas Brewing, raffle prizes at various businesses, a selfie booth and games.
Those promotions are only available to people with wristbands who purchased a ticket for the event, Ekberg said.
For more information about Chowderfest, tickets, and a list of participating businesses and organizations, visit ghdwa.org/chowderfest.
