12 Top Chef Chowders, Each Paired with A Different Beer! – The 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

Last night Nov 21, 2012, we attended the 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto where twelve top chefs from Toronto battled  head-to-head to win the 2012 Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown in Toronto. Guests received a wooden spoon upon arrival to taste all twelve ocean-friendly seafood chowders paired with beer. Along with the spoon was a People’s Choice Award ballot for us to vote for our favourite booth.
The judges panel was made up of 5 of the most renowned  celebrity Chefs and gurus including Jamie Kennedy (Jamie Kennedy Kitchens), Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station & Top Chef Canada Season 2 Winner),  Anthony Walsh (Oliver and Bonacini Restaurants), Rebecca LeHeup (Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance),  and Micah Donovan (The Food Jammers)

2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto- judges panel

The ultimate winner of the 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown was Chef Albert Ponzo from Le Select Bistro with his special seasonal seafood chowder made of acorn squash and other fresh fall ingredients, paired with Rickard’s White.

Chef Ponzo seafood chowder by Chef Albert Ponzo, Le Select Bistro (paired with Rickard’s White) – 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

Chef Richard Baksh from Earls Kitchen and Bar on King Street won the People’s Choice Award with his Manilla Clam & Seafood Chowder paired with Granville Island English Bay Pale Ale.

Manilla Clam & Seafood Chowder by Chef Richard Baksh, Earls Kitchen and Bar (paired with Granville Island English Bay Pale Ale)- 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

Our favourite was the sweet corn, Berkshire bacon & Dungeness crab chowder paired with Granville Island Lions Winter Ale by Chef Morgan Wilson from Trios Bistro at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre.

Sweet corn, Berkshire bacon & Dungeness crab chowder by Chef Morgan Wilson, Trios Bistro at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre ( paired with Granville Island Lions Winter Ale)- 2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

More about Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise™
Ocean Wise partners up with more than 500 restaurants, markets, food services and suppliers at over 3,100 locations across Canada to give consumers sustainable seafood choices. The Ocean Wise symbol is the assurance of Vancouver Aquarium’s ocean-friendly seafood choices that are carefully researched and proven to be abundant, harvest in ways that minimize damage to habitats and bycatch of endangered species. The idea is to consume seafood in a sustainable manner.
For more information please visit: www.oceanwise.ca

2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto

2012 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Toronto