As American as...

     Yesterday I mentioned that certain areas of our great nation are identified by regional delicacies.  And America as a whole is symbolized by a summertime favorite, apple pie.  But at the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Rhode Island on June 1st they would like to challenge that notion.

 

     The event has been taking place for over three decades and invites participants from around the world to compete for honors in three different categories: clam, seafood, and creative.  As you might expect, the majority of the 19 teams there this year came from the New England area and was predominated by local restaurants and cooking schools.  Teams were there from familiar places like Providence, Boston, Groton, Mystic and Westerly.  But it became a national event as competitors showed up from New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and as far away as Seattle and Timberline Lodge, Oregon.  And it became a truly international event with the presence of a team from County Mayo, Ireland.

     So move over, apple pie!  Make room for another American icon, clam chowder!