Michael’s defends chowder championship

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The trophy case at Michael’s Seafood just got a little more crowded. The Carolina Beach restaurant competed against chowders from around the world over the weekend in Newport, RI, over the weekend where it defended their title as best seafood chowder in the world.

“It was a big deal to go up there last year,” CEO Kury Vanscoy said. “A place from North Carolina. We beat the big boys in their backyard.

With 165 gallons of seafood chowder loaded in their truck, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant claimed its second international title in the Knorr’s Great Chowder Cook-Off.

“We went crazy just like last year. Did it all crazy,” said Michael’s owner and head chef Michael McGowan. “Hey, when you get that international win under your belt and you get number two, it makes it even better.”

The crew from Carolina Beach went head to head against chowders from Connecticut, Massachusetts and even Alaska.

“The people up there are surprised. I mean they really are,” McGowan said. “The guy from Florida won the clam chowder event. He won it last year, and I won it last year, too. So they’re wondering how they’re coming from the south and we’re taking names.”

The win could not have come at a better time. The two-time international award-winning chowder hits Harris Teeter store shelves next week.

Michael’s crew made it back to Carolina Beach early Monday morning and did not bring an ounce of chowder back to North Carolina. Very little was left over from the contest, but Michael’s Seafood donated the chowder to soup kitchens in Rhode Island.

The restaurant will celebrate win number two tomorrow beginning at 5 p.m. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come out to try some of the world’s best seafood chowder.