ITHACA, N.Y.—Simeon’s American Bistro won big at the 2022 Chowder Cook-Off, taking home two of the first place awards in the four categories.

The event, held Saturday, Dec. 3, was organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and accompanied the Ice and Lights Festival, sponsored by Maguire Hyundai Subaru Genesis. It is unclear who sponsored the rather unpopular neon Christmas tree adorning the center of the Commons for the holiday season.

The winners were announced by the DIA as follows:

Best Seafood 

  1. Simeon’s American Bistro
  2. Revelry Yards
  3. Red’s Place

Best Meat

  1. Seabring Inn
  2. Monks on the Commons
  3. The Bistro at La Tourelle

Best Veggie

  1. Moosewood Restaurant
  2. Monks on the Commons
  3. Viva Taqueria 

Traditional Clam

  1. Simeon’s American Bistro
  2. Ithaca Ale House
  3. Gorgers Subs

The festivities continue this weekend, with Santa’s arrival, more lights and silent discos.

“All our Chowder Cook-Off participants deserve applause for preparing tasty chowders for thousands of people to enjoy. We’re fortunate to have so many talented chefs in our region who bring such innovative concoctions to this contest each year,” said Scott Rougeau, DIA special events director in the winner announcement.

Matt Butler is the Editor in Chief of The Ithaca Voice. He can be reached by email at mbutler@ithacavoice.org.