Write a comment
A Rostrevor restaurant has made it to the final six in Ireland's most prestigious seafood chowder competition, with Feast in the village earning recognition alongside establishments from across the island for their exceptional take on the popular dish.
Cully & Sully and food critics John and Sally McKenna have announced the finalists for the annual Souperb Awards, which seeks out Ireland's finest seafood chowder.
The six finalists represent a geographical spread that showcases Ireland's rich coastal food culture. Alongside Feast from Rostrevor, the shortlist includes Peggy's Bar in Claregalway, County Galway; Savoir Fare in Westport, County Mayo; Pat Cohan's Bar in Cong, County Mayo; The Moorings in Dungarvan, County Waterford; and O'Connell's Seafood Bar on Patrick Street in Cork.
"We are looking for the chowder that puts the most soul in the bowl," said John McKenna, one of the four judges. "Chowder is a dish that has an enormous emotional resonance for Irish people, so we want to find the one that brings together all the strengths of Ireland's food culture: great seafood, great dairy, and plenty of potatoes."
Feast's inclusion comes after what owners Melissa McCabe and Roisin McCaffrey describe as a successful year for their Rostrevor establishment, with Melissa's unique seafood chowder proving to be their best-selling dish. The judges were particularly impressed with the restaurant's innovative presentation, noting the chowder's distinctive topping of Burren Balsamic Pearls which adds both visual appeal and a tangy flavour contrast.
"Feast, Rostrevor, Co Down, Northern Ireland Next to Rostrevor, a pretty and far flung getaway on the County Down isthmus, Roisin and Melissa are celebrating a year of success in Feast, and their best-selling dish during the year has been Melissa's unique version of seafood chowder. Many will travel all the way to remote Rostrevor for the good thing. The Feast chowder is a most gorgeous bowl, uniquely topped with Burren Balsamic Pearls, giving a translucence as well as a tang of acidic flavour. The heart shaped slices of soda bread were a delightful accompaniment to a very special chowder," the McKennas wrote in their assessment.
Two of the finalists earned their place through public voting, whilst the judges selected the remaining establishments based on their culinary expertise and nationwide tasting tour that took them from Waterford to Westport and from Rostrevor to Cork. Cullen Allen of Cully & Sully, the competition's sponsors, highlighted how the diverse range of venues represented shows the importance of quality chowder across Ireland's hospitality sector.
The overall winner of the 2025 Souperb Awards will be announced by Cully & Sully on Friday 3 October.
