ASHEVILLE, N.C. — There’s a new chowder that has made its way to the mouths and hearts in the western North Carolina mountains. 


What You Need To Know

  • The Haywood County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension says North Carolina ranks second in the United States for commercial trout production

  • Jennifer Currie won the North Carolina Mountain State Fair’s cooking contest in the trout category

  • Her dish includes locally-caught trout

“Basically clam chowder, but with trout,” Jennifer Currie said.

Making trout chowder is part of Currie’s love language, and what led her to become a reigning North Carolina Mountain State Fair champion. 

According to the Haywood County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension, North Carolina ranks second in the United States in commercial trout production, right behind Idaho. 

Currie’s new dish has found the way to her heart, and one of her favorite parts involves local ingredients caught by her family members. 

“This is actually locally caught trout,” Currie said.

She wanted the challenge of bringing her skills of cooking to a statewide stage.

“My kids obviously say, ‘you're a really good cook,’ and they want my recipes for things, but they're my kids, so I feel like sometimes maybe they have to say that,” Currie laughed. “I just wanted a little bit of validation just to see, ‘hmmm, can I do this?’ Is my cooking that good?”

Currie’s question was answered soon after. She reflected on her placements as she held her first place ribbon.

“Competition is quite fierce… so I was excited!” Currie said.

She’s looking to improve each and every time she cooks.

“I want it to be my very best,” Currie said. “And if it's not, how can I make it better?”

It isn’t just a fish and potatoes competition, it’s a connection to her family. Her sister and brother-in-law catch the trout that served as the core of the dish. 

“The fish they have provided both years has won first place,” Currie said. 

Another essential part of her recipe– the lessons and inspiration from her mother and grandmothers. 

“Where I get my cooking from is my mother,” Currie said. “She is my inspiration. She passed away a little over three years ago. So, it's moments like this that I really miss her.”