Living La Vita Gustosa

Cool winds and bright blue skies welcomed hundreds of visitors to the 8th Annual East Haddam Chowder Cook-off in the East Haddam Village on saturday. Tasters travelled from as far away as Boston to cast their votes for the "People's Choice Best  Chowder".

"This is my first time and I'm really really enjoying it. So far, all the samples have been good," said Roberta Bensenhaver of Vernon.

Benenhaver's sister-in-law, Debbie Bensenhaver of Middlefield, commented that "La Vita Gustosa's entry is great; it has a little bit of a kick." Debbie attends the cook-off every year. "It's well-worth the drive", she says. 

The five chowder cook-off entries included shrimp and lobster bisque from the kitchen of Chestelm Health & Rehabilitation Center, New England clam chowder from the Gelston House, sausage and corn chowder from Hilltop BBQ & Steakhouse, New England clam chowder  from La Vita Gustosa, and lobster and corn chowder from the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station. 

There was even the "World's First Candy Chowder" offered for dessert by Mary Milewski of the Hillside Sweet Shoppe. The candy "chowder" included fun seafood chowder-inspired candies like gummy lobsters, gummy octopus, gummy sharks, gummy clams, gummy fish, sugared starfish, and chocolate seashells.

According to one of the younger cook-off attendees, Rebecca, "the gummy chowder was the best". Her older brother, Tim, however, preferred La Vita Gustosa's. "The Italian twist chowder was my favorite", he countered. Rebecca and Tim were at the cook-off with family from Madison and Southington.

Bragging rights and the silver ladle trophy for this year's "People's Choice Best Chowder" went to Chef Joe Spooner of La Vita Gustosa. The touch of prosciutto and garlic to his New England Clam Chowder won over the finicky pallets of this year's voters. 

Chef Spooner stepped in and created the winning entry when La Vita's chef/owner, Larry Cacace, was sidelined due to arm surgery that required his arm to be in a sling.

The second place winner was the Riverhouse with its Lobster & Corn Chowder in the mini-bread bowl. First-time entrant,  the kitchen of Chestelm Health and Rehabilitation Center, secured third-place for their shrimp and lobster bisque. Chestelm also won the Economic Development Committee's "Best Table Decor" prize. The table was decked out in a sea-faring theme that complimented their sea-themed chowder bisque.

The $10 fee for adults and $5 for children included a sample of all six chowders as well as a commemorative Chowder Cook-off Mug. The event raised approximately $1,000  in proceeds, which will be donated to East Haddam charities and local non-profit organizations. 

In conjunction with the Chowder Cook-off, the East Haddam Business Association sponsored their first Business Expo across the street at the Gelston House. After sampling chowders, many cook-off attendees headed next door to meet local businesses.