If you didn’t have enough food contests to attend this weekend, consider attending the Chowder Challenge at New Old Lompoc’s 5th Quadrant tomorrow from noon to 6pm.

Twelve local restaurants and brewpubs will be fighting for Portland chowder supremacy. This is New England style clam-chowder... Perfect for the end of winter. Categories include most authentic, best with beer, and most flavorful. It’s going to be a outrageous chowder-down to the death! It might also just be a gathering of drunken chefs showcasing creamy seafood soup. Who knows?

I’m particularly excited about the “most flavorful” category. When I think clam chowder, I think: cream, potato, bacon fat, and clams. How can you make that more flavorful!? Incidentally, I also think about burly fishermen with thick accents, wearing half removed bright orange rain slickers, making sweet love to each other on an icy New England beach… But maybe that’s just me.

So, we’ve got beer, chowder, Joe the Balloon guy, music, beer… Need anything else? Nope, didn’t think so.

A portion of the $10 to get in door price goes to Locks of Love.