Senator Klein Hosts Third Annual City Island Clam Chowder Festival

BRONX, NY - State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) joined City Island restaurant owners and residents at Hawkins Park on Sunday afternoon for Klein’s third annual City Island Clam Chowder Festival. The chowder festival took place during City Island’s annual Chamber of Commerce Arts & Crafts Fall Fair.

“The City Island Clam Chowder Festival is a time-honored tradition in The Bronx — celebrating the culinary treasures of this beloved seaside community. I’m proud to host the third annual Chowder Festival in partnership with the City Island Chamber of Commerce and our many local businesses. Congratulations to all our winners and everyone who participated in this great competition,” said Senator Klein.

Local residents and families enjoyed samples of chowder from participating restaurants, including Johnny’s Reef, Bistro SK, the Ale House, Sammy’s Fish and Shrimp Box, the Lobster House, Arties Steak & Seafood, Crab Shanty and many more. At the festival, fairgoers also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite chowder.

In total, three awards were given: people’s choice chowder; best Manhattan clam chowder; and best New England clam chowder. Judging the competition was Senator Klein, Director of The Doyle Collection of Hotels & Co-Founder of Young Travel Professionals Karen Magee, Broadway Actress Kara Tremble, CEO and Founder of Reservation Genie Ivan Collins, General Manager of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Westchester Jeff Dziak, and Chef Eric Mauro of Bistro Rollin in Pelham, NY.

The following winners were chosen by the community:

Best New England Clam Chowder - Sammy’s Fish Box

Best Manhattan Clam Chowder - Harlem Yacht Club

The following winners were selected during the official judging competition:

Best New England Clam Chowder - Sammy’s Fish Box

Best Manhattan Clam Chowder - Ale House

“We are happy Senator Klein is hosting this year’s clam chowder contest – a tradition on City Island that we are very grateful he revived. The City Island Chamber of Commerce has worked together with Senator Klein for many years and we look forward to building on that partnership in the future,” said Skip Giacco, president of the City Island Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a culinary highlight of the fall season on City Island. We need to give new names to the great chowders made here: no longer Manhattan or New England but City Island Red and White!” said Barbara Burn Dolensek of the City Island Civic Association.