SAN CLEMENTE : Chowder Lovers Can Chow Down

Lovers of Boston and Manhattan clam chowders can satisfy their taste buds Sunday at the fourth annual San Clemente Chowder Cook-Off at the San Clemente Municipal Pier.

Organizers are encouraging people interested to “arrive with an empty stomach� to try the many offerings from local restaurants and amateur chefs, who will be competing for awards in best restaurant and individual competitions.

The cooking will begin at 9 a.m.; the sampling can be done from noon until 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for eight tastings.

The judging will begin at 1 p.m., with prizes and trophies to be awarded to the winners at 3 p.m. Among the judges are chefs from the Ritz-Carlton hotel and Disneyland.

The family-oriented event will also include a country music concert with Melvin Ratnam, an art exhibit by Paul Gavin, face painters and jugglers.

Although thousands are expected to attend, organizers say not streets will be closed for the event. They strongly advise, however, that festival-goers take advantage of the free shuttle service from the San Clemente High School parking lot at 700 Avenida Pico.

The cook-off is part of the San Clemente Fiesta, which will continue Aug. 11 with a street block party and a 5-kilometer run. The two-day event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Centex Homes.