Tenth Annual Chowder Cookoff - 1 Feb 2014

Our tenth annual Chowder CookOff, at the Venice Restaurant's Ballroom on 1 February 2014 from Noon to 3:00pm, was a huge success.  Attended by almost 300 adults and children, the event brought in over $4,000 - a record for this event - and will be used over the next year through the Club's giving programs.

The Rotary Club of Westerly supports several of our local organizations, such as the WARM Shelter, the Jonnycake Center, to name just a couple.  We also support Rotary Park, which originated a few years ago through the efforts of Westerly Rotarians.  We have supported an environmental study program at Westerly Middle School provided by Reforest the Tropics, Inc.; supported the Chorus of Westerly's Summer Pops for many years; supported the school improvement projects of the Rotary Club of La Penita in Mexico; and supported many Rotary International projects such as PolioPlus, ShelterBox to provide shelter for Haitians.

This year the Club received sponsorship funds from Avie's Ski/Sport, Edward Jones Investments, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, Nigrelli's Jewelry, The Westerly Sun, Trestle Park Storage/Robert & Erin Celico and children, Valenti Subaru and WBLQ, headed by our very own Chris DiPaola.  Their sponsorship funds and donated services allowed us to advertise the event to reach a wider audience.

Another addition to this year's event was a visit from guest Chef Frank Terranova, of Johnson & Wales University and WJAR-TV's "Cooking with Class".  Chef Terranova was asked to choose a "chef's choice" award in the restaurant and school divisions.  He said that it was a tough choice to make because they were all so very good; but he finally selected Shelter Harbor Inn and Westerly High School.  We are delighted that he accepted our invitation to attend and he had such a good time that he committed himself to participate again next year.

Rotarian Bob Elmer, our emcee for the event, helped to tally up the popular vote cards and noted to attendees that the votes were really close.  So - the People's Choice awards for 2014 are:

                                  Restaurants                                        Schools

      1st Place         Venice Restaurant                      Westerly High School

      2nd Place        Shelter Harbor Inn                    Woonsocket High School

      3rd Place         Sunny Side Up                            Rogers High School

Our grateful thanks to all those who attended, or bought tickets but couldn't attend, to all our supporters without whom this event would not happen.  A very special thank you to the Venice Restaurant for all they do for our Club during this event and throughout the year.  Our grateful appreciation to Chris DiPaola and WBLQ for all the radio time he provided to publicize our event and for WBLQ's presence onsite yesterday.

Cal Lord, our Club President, was yesterday's photographer - below are some of his photos.  More can be found in our "Photo Album" section of the website.

Chef Terranova Chef Kalble from Rogers High and Event Co Chair Douglas Rayner

Guests about to test Woonsocket High's Chowder