Troy ChowderFest winners announced

TROY, N.Y. » Troy’s 13th annual ChowderFest on Sunday offered a full afternoon of familyfun where culinary competitors competed for the best chowder.

Foodies, families, students and more flocked to downtown Troy to taste some of the area’s most decadent chowders and submit their vote.

This year’s competition had the most participants yet, with 17 head chefs, and 25 chowders.

Awards included Judge’s Choice (1st through 3rd), Best Vegetarian, Most Original, Best Seafood, Best Booth, and People’s Choice. The all-ages festival included craft vendors, performances and activities for children, and live music and DJ’s throughout the district all afternoon.

The highly anticipated annual chowder competition brought in returning and new competitors to test their skills in 8 different categories.

Judges included Joel Miller, an Elite Member of Yelp! Albany, Joan Porambo and Kyle Macpherson of Field Notes, Amy Koren-Roth of Taste of Troy Food Tours and Dylan Turek, Director of Economic Development from the city of Troy.

“We are excited to announce Judges Choice 1st Place, Tara Kitchen 2nd Place Schenectady County Community College Food Truck, and 3rd Place The Ruck. Best Vegetarian is The Ruck, Most Original is The Ruck, Best Seafood is Tara Kitchen, and Best Booth is Bootlegger’s On Broadway. The People’s Choice is Bootleggers on Broadway. The Downtown Troy BID generously thanks its sponsors, participants, volunteers, and performers for a successful and filling event,” the Downtown Troy BID said in a news release.

Judge’s Choice:

• 1st Place: Tara Kitchen, Casablanca Chowder

• 2nd Place: Schenectady County Community College Food Truck, Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder with a Shrimp and Corn Fritter

• 3rd Place: The Ruck, Coconut Gochujang Sweet Potato Chowder

Best Vegetarian: The Ruck, Coconut Gochujang Sweet Potato Chowder

Most Original: The Ruck, Coconut Gochujang Sweet Potato Chowder

Best Seafood: Tara Kitchen, Casablanca Chowder

Best Booth: Bootlegger’s On Broadway

The People’s Choice: Bootleggers on Broadway, Lobster Roasted Corn Chowder w/ Cornbread Crouton

LAUREN HALLIGAN — MEDIANEWS GROUP Chowder samples are served at Brown’s Brewing Company during the 13th annual Troy ChowderFest.

LAUREN HALLIGAN — MEDIANEWS GROUP Attendees gather in Monument Square for the 13th annual Troy ChowderFest.