Bring your appetite! Springs Food Pantry’s 8th Annual Chowdah Chowdown returns on Saturday, October 10, from 12 to 3 PM, bringing together some of the East End’s favorite chefs and restaurants for an afternoon of chowdah, soup, music, and friendly competition on the patio at Springs Tavern and Grill.
Last year, more than 300 guests attended Chowdah Chowdown, making it the Pantry’s most successful Chowdah event ever. Organizers expect another big turnout this year.
Guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat samples of chowdah and soup and cast their votes for their favorites in three categories: Tastiest, Best Traditional, and Most Unique. The afternoon will feature live music from local favorite Josh Brussell, along with a complimentary mocktail bar from Cocktails & Dreams. Springs Tavern and Grill will offer a full cash bar.
“Chowdah Chowdown captures so much of what makes Springs special,” said Holly Reichart-Wheaton, Director and Chairperson of Springs Food Pantry. “Local chefs generously share their talents, volunteers bring it all together, and hundreds of people come out to have fun while supporting their neighbors. Every ticket helps us continue providing healthy food choices to families who need a little extra help.”
As the event’s host, the team at Springs Tavern and Grill sees Chowdah Chowdown as a natural extension of its commitment to the Springs community.
“We’re once again proud to host Chowdah Chowdown for Springs Food Pantry,” said Alex Rossi, Owner of Springs Tavern and Grill. “It’s such an important organization in our community, and supporting this event is completely in line with our philosophy at Springs Tavern and Grill of supporting the people and organizations that make Springs such a special place. Working with Holly and the Pantry team is always a pleasure, and we’re looking forward to another great turnout this year!”
This year’s Chowdah Chowdown will feature 20+ local chefs, restaurants, and food purveyors, with current participants including Almond, Chef Peter Ambrose, Lorilynn Bauer, Private Chef, Bostwicks, Derek Freedman, Private Chef, Fresno, Il Buco Al Mare, Kristina Felix, Lobster Roll, Nikki Glick, Nikki’s Not Dog Stand, Nourish by Roundtree, Performance Food Group, Plate Date, Red Horse Market, Sen, Silver Spoon Specialties, Smokin Wolf, and Springs Tavern and Grill.
For participating Chef Peter Ambrose, Chowdah Chowdown reflects a longstanding tradition of local chefs and restaurants supporting the community and one another.
“The Hamptons culinary community has always been a tight-knit group,” Ambrose said. “There’s an unwritten understanding that we show up for our community and support each other’s charitable efforts. We’re in the food business, and food brings people together, so being part of Chowdah Chowdown and helping Springs Food Pantry just makes sense. It’s an honor to participate, and a little friendly competition among chefs is always fun.”
Kristina Felix, a contributing recipe developer for NYT Cooking and author of a forthcoming cookbook on Mexican sopas, caldos, pozoles and moles, out in fall 2027 from Workman Publishing, also sees a natural connection between her work and the Pantry’s mission.
“Participating in the Springs Food Pantry Chowdah Chowdown means I get to do what I love most for an organization that does the same: feed people,” Felix said.
For Nikki Glick of Nikki’s Not Dog Stand, available at Share the Harvest Farm, this year’s event is an opportunity she has been hoping to join for some time.
“I’ve been hearing about Chowdah Chowdown for the last few years and have always wanted to get involved,” Glick said. “Things were pretty nuts with the restaurant before, so I’m really glad it worked out this year. I’m excited to finally be part of it and support Springs Food Pantry.”
For Nourish by Roundtree, participating in Chowdah Chowdown reflects both a personal and professional commitment to the East Hampton community.
“As East Hampton business owners and Springs Food Pantry volunteers, community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Ann Palmer, Director of Relations for Roundtree. “At The Roundtree, we are dedicated to supporting local businesses, uniting our neighbors, and standing by those in need.”
“The chefs really make this event what it is,” said Amy Leopold, Events Coordinator/Board Member, Springs Food Pantry. “They donate their food, their time, and a lot of creativity, and they have just as much fun with the competition as our guests do. Last year’s turnout was incredible, and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more people to taste, vote and celebrate with us this year.”
In addition to the food, music, and drinks, guests can also try their luck in the event’s 50/50 raffle, with additional gift cards generously provided by Honest Man Hospitality, snap a fall photo in front of KLEOH, Bloom Country’s distinctive orange truck, and purchase a new Chowdah Chowdown long-sleeve T-shirt to help spread the word and support Springs Food Pantry. Remaining chowdah and soup will also be available for purchase to take away after the event.
“Supporting Springs Food Pantry has always been incredibly important to Honest Man Hospitality. It is more than providing food. It is about caring for our neighbors and ensuring they have access to the nourishment and support they need. In a community as close-knit as ours, taking care of one another is what makes Springs and East Hampton a special place to call home,” said Honest Man Hospitality.
Chowdah Chowdown is more than a celebration of local food. It is an important fundraiser for Springs Food Pantry, a 100% volunteer-led organization providing supplemental healthy food to Springs families throughout the year.
Springs Food Pantry currently serves nearly 370 families and 1,450 household members in an average week, with recipient visits running 5% above last year’s levels. Fundraising events and individual donors provide critical support for the Pantry’s approximately $1.2 million annual food program.
“Events like Chowdah Chowdown remind us that addressing food insecurity really is a community effort,” Reichart-Wheaton added. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who cooks, volunteers, attends, and supports the Pantry.”
Tickets and additional information are available at springsfoodpantry.org.