Wing Fling a success, next comes a celebration of chowder

The 16th annual Wing Fling took over CB on Saturday. According to reports, thousands attended. WECT's Jon Evans won the wing eating contest by devouring 12 wings in one minute and three seconds. Well done, sir.

The next big event for CB will be the 16th annual (what was it about 16 years ago?) Chowder Cook-Off, which will be Saturday, April 14.

The 2012 Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off is a family-oriented event that is all about delicious food, good music, and fun for all ages. Chefs from Carolina Beach, Wilmington, and beyond will prepare their best seafood chowder recipes between the hours of 12:00pm and 4:00pm. Children will enjoy the park's playground and a Kidz Zone with face-painting, a giant inflatable house, and more.

During the cook-off, enjoy live music and chowder-tasting (and voting) between 12:00pm and 4:00pm, but make sure to arrive early while the chowder is abundant. Area restaurants that are participating this year include: Havana's Fresh Island Restaurant, The Lazy Pirate, Seaside Grille at Courtyard by Marriott, SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar, and the Veggie Wagon in Carolina Beach. Wilmington restaurants include Cape Fear Seafood Company and O'Charley's. The Grille in Shallotte is a first-year contender. The day-long chowder showcase features live entertainment by the Mark Roberts Band (variety dance band) at Carolina Beach Lake Park's Stingray Amphitheater. At approximately 5:00pm, be sure to join in the celebration of People’s and Judges' Choice awards.

Want to go? Gates open Saturday, April 14 at 11:30am. A modest admission charge of $5 for adults will provide a taste of some of the best chowder this area has to offer during a friendly culinary competition. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under. No coolers permitted, as beverages and food will be available for sale. Chairs, blankets and children are welcome, but please leave pets at home.

Michael's Seafood: America's Chowder Champion

For the second year in a row, Carolina Beach's Michael's Seafood beat out the competition (including those from New England) be crowned as having America's best chowder.

By the way, if you're interested, you can now buy the chowder in stores.

Chowder Cook-Off this Saturday

From the Cape Fear tourism site ...

The 13th annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off will take place Saturday at Carolina Beach Lake Park.

"Attendees can enjoy and vote on chowder from various restaurants and groups. In addition to serving up the area's best chowder, this daylong event includes live music and the Kidz Zone which will have face painting, balloon art, giant inflatable slide and more. There will also be fudge, hotdogs, funnel cakes, luna pops, pizza, bloom'n onions, soft drinks and beer and wine for sale. (No coolers, no pets please!). $5 per person 12 and under free. Park for free at Federal Point Shopping Center and ride the trolley for free to Carolina Beach Lake."

The contestants will be:
Harbor Masters Restaurant (Carolina Beach)
Jack Mackerel's Island Grill (Kure Beach)
Michael's Seafood Restaurant (Carolina Beach)
O'Charley's (Monkey Junction)
Olde Salty's (Carolina Beach)
RuckerJohns (Monkey Junction)
Seaside Grill at Courtyard Marriott (Carolina Beach)
Tangerines Caribbean Grill (Caribbean Grill)