St. Augustine's Great Chowder Debate is coming back to the waterfront after a six-year hiatus, with area restaurants participating at the Conch House Marina Resort on Sunday, November 1, from noon to 4 p.m. The event pits chowder against chowder for a cause, with proceeds benefiting youth mentoring across St. Johns County.
The competition's return marks a comeback for one of the longest-running charitable chowder championships in the country, first established in 1984, according to the Conch House Marina Resort. At its peak, the event has drawn more than 5,000 attendees and featured upwards of 2,000 gallons of chowder prepared by dozens of local chefs, according to Santiago's Florida Kitchen & Craft Bar, with participating restaurants donating both ingredients and labor to the cause. News4JAX reported that the Great Chowder Debate is returning in 2026.
Tasting Chowder
Attendees can sample chowder from participating restaurants, with a range of styles to try.
The event has featured a range of chowder styles, allowing seafood houses and landlubber kitchens alike to throw their pots into the ring.
Minorcan Chowder
Minorcan chowder has featured among the event's past entries.
The defining ingredient is the datil pepper, an heirloom hot pepper grown almost exclusively in the St. Augustine area that carries heat comparable to a habanero, according to Florida's Historic Coast. The pepper was once even featured on the city seal, underscoring just how tied the ingredient is to local identity and setting St. Augustine chowder apart from its New England or Manhattan cousins.
A Waterfront Comeback
The waterfront gathering returns after a six-year hiatus.
The event returns to its longtime home at the Conch House Marina Resort, giving the chowder competition a waterfront setting.
Music, Kids' Activities Round Out the Day
Beyond the soup, organizers have built out a full afternoon of programming. The event includes live music by the Paper City Hustlers and a children's corner, per News4JAX, giving families a reason to stick around even after they've cast their taste-ticket votes. Following the formal competition from noon to 4 p.m., the Conch House Lounge will host a secondary performance by the band Say Less from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to details shared by Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County, extending the celebration well past the judging window.
All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County, supporting the organization's youth mentoring programs across the region. More details on the Great Chowder Debate's return are available at the Conch House Marina Resort's website.
