This year I am one of the three judges for the Vancouver Foodster Chowder Challenge. Which means I have the joy of travelling to the three locations competing, and trying their chowder entry. Each is scored based on taste, presentation, and orginality. The following are the contenders, in the order that I tried them.
The Signature Sustainable Seafood Chowder is a staple on the Vancouver Aquarium’s menu. Around all year long, the version pictured here is a little larger and served in an artistic bowl that is available for purchase in the gift shop. This is created by theit Executive Chef David Lee.
A sustainably sourced seafood chowder speaks to the Aquarium’s promise to Ocean Wise practices. It contains Pacific Cod, Wild Sockeye, Ocean Mama Clams, Yukon Gold potatoes, and fire roasted tomato; severed with a toasted baguette.
This was a hearty soup that eats like a full meal bursting with meaty morsels. No two spoonfuls the same given the mixture that includes chewy whole clams. The side of bread offers a sponge to soak things up with, the liquid like a gravy. This was a classic crowd pleasing chowder, one that is able to cater to all the walks of people who come through the tourist attraction. In fact according to David they sell 1,000 bowls a day. A dish you would expect from an elevated seafood restaurant, not this cafeteria setting with screaming kids.
This is available all day, all the time at the Aquarium’s main Cafe, the Upstream Cafe outdoors, and at the seasonal Bicycle Bistro Cafe that has now opened for the season.
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC
(778) 655-9554
vanaqua.org
From The Lift and their Executive Chef Chris Andraza comes a playful chowder that doubles as a cocktail. The Ceasar’s Chowder is a Manhattan style clam chowder that is a play on the Ceasar cocktail with a seasoned rim, lots of horseradish, Worcestershire, and Tabasco.
I love Caesars so was an instant fan. I especially appreciated the whimsical presentation, and the duality of flavours that can transcend and bridge both such a chowder and the famous cocktail. Although this left me wanting a cocktail version of the chowder in return.
It is heavily spiced in its seasonings, with even more spice gracing the rim of the coop glass it is served it. It isn’t a Caesar without garnishes, and here there is more than enough to choose from with staples like pickled bean and shrimp; and extras like spicy pepper, pickled onion, pork belly, and ham.
I used all the above as bites to dip in to the chowder, using it like a sauce. However, some bites fared better as palate refreshers like the onion that clashed, and the pepperoncini pepper which distracted in the same was. The latter added more spice that the chowder didn’t need. Overall, this makes for a great appetizer, I just could have use some bread to help temper all the above bold and punchy flavours.
Lift Bar & Grill
333 Menchion Mews, Vancouver, BC
(604) 689-5438
liftbarandgrill.com
Located in Langley is Food by Fanta, known for their pretty plates, their Tom Yum Chowder is no different. This was big and bold with a fragrant lemongrass and citrus scent wafting through to your nostrils even before you take a bite. Clams, lobster, bacon, clam juice, lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass, cilantro, onion, leeks, garlic, sweet chili paste, Thai chili, lime juice, fish sauce, salt, palm sugar, heavy cream, coconut milk, and potatoes.
Be warned, you want to dig into this one as soon as it arrives, it is quick to thicken and congeal. Chunky enough to be better use as a dip, and luckily this chowder comes with a few crackers to do this with.
Two crispy egg-roll like straws, dense enough to hold up a large scoop of chowder like a spoon. There was also a large rice cracker sprinkled with Tom yum seasoning, that doubled as a lid for the chowder bowl itself. This was a much lighter crisp that offered a fun texture for the mouth.
I also highly recommend adding on their new soft and fluffy, lightly sweetened Pandan Brioche bun as bread for dipping into your soup with.
Food by Fanta
20542 Fraser Hwy #107, Langley
(604) 427-0166
FoodbyFanta.com
it’s great idea of travelling to the different locations competing, and trying their chowder entry. If you have time you can visit Sonic resturants and you must know the updated prices and all the menu items before visiting