Clam Chowder Cookoff - Catherine Barr

SHHH . . . it's a secret recipe kind of thing. At least that's what the teams taking part in the 16th Annual Clam Chowder Cookoff were telling me last Sunday afternoon. North Vancouver's Waterfront Park was full of pots and pans as participants cooked up all kinds of clamy concoctions in search of first prize. Also part of the annual event was the recycled boatbuilding race where brave seafaring souls take to the water in homemade boats. Too funny. Still, something fishy was up and I was determined to find out what it was. Check-out some of the surprising culinary secrets for success as listed below.


Hungarian white wine was the secret ingredient for these "Clam Dammes" from Prudential Sussex. From left: Jan Kiss, Sharon Warner and Ann Henning.	Alana Banks (left) and Amitis Khorsandi were part of the "Happy Hawaiian Pirates" boat team.	Canada Day parade co-chairs Ron Menzies (left) and Glennys Pedersen used liquid smoke to add zest to their chowder.	A little flotsam and jetsam always adds flavour according to these kidders from the Port of Vancouver. From left: David Bergman, Rishima Bahadoorsingh and Justin McLash.	"Clamen Miranda" (aka the News's own assistant editor Martin Millerchip) and his "Saucy Shells" were ripe for the challenge.

Little Tyler Sleeman-Page (centre) and grampa Graham Page got a chance to meet the Root Bear (aka Ryan Vertegaal).	Aurora Ratcliffe and chef/judge Rob Wheaton, both from the Beach House at Dundarave Pier, preferred a chowder that was both thick and chunky.	The UBC English Language Institute gals said "passion, potatoes and pork fat" was all part of the mix. From left: Maki Natori, Yuki Murakami, Donna Yamazaki and Sylvie Tran.	A little "international spice" helped out the Sailor Hagar gang, namely (from left) John Moorehouse, Charlie Massham, Amy Fowler and Ed Nolle.	Dale Ferris, of Dale Ferris Catering, said "tarragon and love" was part of her magic potion.

Tookie Mussatto can do incredible things with tin cans, including making them fly.	Debbie Jussinoja and Joe Arduini are both members of the highly entertaining Freddie Fuddpucker band.

Page created by Catherine Barr on 24/7/00