How To Become A Soup Legend

Oliver's champion chowder shared at Winterfest

- Leslie Landrigan

DEER ISLE—Fish chowder made by chowder champion Brent Oliver helped kick off the annual Winterfest celebration on Friday, January 17, at the “More Than Just Soup” supper at the elementary school.

Fourteen other cooks brought Crockpots full of soup to the supper, including Sue Buxton, who also brought a chowder.

“I hate to go into competition with Brent,” said Buxton.

“Legendary” is how Healthy Island Project Director Rene Colson-Hudson characterized the Deer Isle fisherman’s chowder. HIP sponsored the 15th annual Winterfest over the past weekend.

Oliver, who has won several island chowder contests, shared his secrets with the Island Ad-Vantages as he made chowder for the soup supper at his Dunham Point home.

Cooking just a Crockpot worth of soup posed a challenge because of the risk of over seasoning, said Oliver. It’s easier to make a large chowder. He’s used to making it for 80.

Oliver learned to make chowder by the vatful at the knees of two fishermen, Dick Bridges of Deer Isle and John Williams of Stonington.