Area Restaurants Take Home Top Chowder Honors

The people have spoken! Fun was had by all last Friday night at the 33^rd  Annual Chowder Cook-Off with a Twist and the results are in from both the judges and attendees naming the “Best Chowder” and “Best Twist” on the Space Coast.

Seven judges, including Colonel Walt Jackim, Vice Commander 45^th Space Wing; Port Commissioner Micah Loyd; Mindy from Lite Rock 99.3; Brice Wilkerson from Lite Rock 99.3; “Wingnut” from KISS 95; Suzy Leonard Florida Today food writer and Space Coast food expert and Ashley Nolan CBS Survivor finalist and Satellite Beach native, deliberated for nearly two hours while they personally taste tested each item.

The winners broken down by category are:

People’s Choice Twist :

1^st – Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
2^nd – Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
3^rd – Rising Tide tap and table

People’s Choice Chowder:

1^st – Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
2^nd – Coconuts on the Beach
3^rd – Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

Judge’s Choice Twist:

1^st – Coasters Taphouse
2^nd – Mambo’s Beachside Bar & Grill
3^rd -  Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

Judges Choice Chowder:

1^st – Kennedy Space Center-New England Clam Chowder
2^nd – Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
3^rd – Rising Tide tap & table

Congratulations to all of the winners!

The event, hosted by the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), was held on Friday, February 2nd in Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 1. This year’s event was chaired by CVB Chair, Amanda Tynan and Past Chair, John Belden.

Special thank you to the evening’s participating sponsors:

Canaveral Port Authority, Fish Lips Waterfront Bar & Grill, Rising Tide tap & table, Sunrise Bank, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Merritt Square Mall, Kennedy Space Center, Space Coast Fun Guide, Homewood Suites, Cocoa Beach Hotel & Lodging Association, Airboat Rides at Midway, the Resort on Cocoa Beach, Rockledge Country Club, Wild Ocean, City of Cocoa, Sleep Number the Avenue, Brevard Zoo, Comfort Inn & Suites, Discovery Beach Resort, Two Men And A Truck, International Palms Resort, Victory Casino Cruises, Cove Merchants Association, Dignity Memorial, and 9 Mile Media.