Coast Bar + Bistro of Brunswick enjoyed a clean sweep of the awards last Saturday at the Freeport Community Services Chowdah Challenge, an annual highlight of the Freeport Fall Festival.

Nancy Trottier, communications coordinator for Freeport Community Services, said Monday that Coast Bar + Bistro won both the Judge’s Choice and the People’s Choice awards for its chowder. The winner of the Judge’s Award claims chowder superiority with a sign at its place of business, provided by Freeport Community Services.

“It was a rare event,” Trottier said. “It was very, very close on the People’s Choice. We had to do a recount to be sure.”

The Tuscan Bistro of Freeport finished second in the People’s Choice.

Trottier said that between 500 and 600 people purchased $10 tickets to take part in the taste-testing of 10 the chowders from 10 local restaurants. Proceeds from the event go to the FCS Food Pantry.

The Chowdah Challenge is held in front of the L.L. Bean Home Store.

Gregg Lagerquist a WGME news anchor, along with Freeport Fire Chief Charlie Jordan and his wife, Linda, did the judging for the Judge’s Choice.

Coast Bar + Bistro won the Chowdah Challenge Judge’s Choice award last Saturday at the Freeport Fall Festival. At left is chef Andy Omo accepts the Judge’s Choice Award from Freeport Fire Chief Charlie Jordan and his wife, Linda and WGME News 13 anchor Gregg Lagerquist.