From the Causeway, Long Beach Island could have doubled for a New England film set, with a low fog sitting on the bay and a constant sprinkle of autumn rain, a scene wholly appropriate for a day dedicated to “chowdah.” The weather didn’t thin the crowd at the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off, though. On the field across from Bay Village, ticket holders packed the big tasting tent, with Team Red on one side and Team White on the other.

“It is definitely chowder weather,” said John Bell “JB” Maschal, owner of Country Kettle Chowda.