From clambakes to lobster

Hot Rocks and Lobster Pots

These quintessential Ocean State seafood catering experiences come fresh o the boat

Howarth Family Lobsters brings the boil to you

If an authentic clambake is on the itinerary of your late-summer soiree or Labor Day get-together, chances are good a few members of the catering team are out on the water while you and your guests are getting ready in the morning.

“A traditional old-fashioned clambake process begins early in the day when we send our crews out to pick fresh rockweed, a dark green seaweed that contains bubbles filled with saltwater,” says event and o ce manager Melissa McGrath of McGrath Clambakes & Catering. She describes the care that goes into building the bonfire with alternating layers of wood and rock, tending the fire to achieve a bed of very hot coals and rocks, and covering the base with mounds of rockweed – all unfolding at your venue while festivities take place.

“The bubbles in the rockweed burst when heated, emitting seawater that steams and seasons the food,” McGrath continues. “At this point, the bakemaster works very quickly to capture as much heat as possible under the canvas.” Racks of food – artfully layered to ensure ideal cooking times and balanced flavoring – are expertly nestled inside and covered with layers of canvas.

The whole process is part of a New England tradition dating back centuries. “A hot rock clambake is a unique experience,” says Lin Patty, event coordinator of Yawgoo Bakes and Barbecues. “Many cultures have some kind of specialized cooking process involving hot rocks. The New England version comes from Native American tribes as far back as 2,000 years.”

For many businesses, it’s a family tradition, too. Now in the hands of third-generation bakemaster T.R. McGrath, McGrath Clambakes has been in business for 53 years, continuing on the tradition of bakes and lobster boils while also expanding to include other catering o erings. Yawgoo Bakes, founded by Pat Murray in 1961, remains a family-operated business to this day with her grandson Andy Patty now a bakemaster.

Howarth Family Lobsters is an extension of

McGrath staff remove the canvas to officially open the clambake

Ebben Howarth’s grandparents’ multi-generational lobstering business. “My boyfriend Ebben and I started our company last year with the intention of connecting the Block Island community to local seafood while supporting the small but valuable commercial fishing industry out here,” says co-owner Maddy Murphy. “We are both residents of Block Island and carry a huge amount of respect for the island and its resources.”

In hosting intimate, outdoor lobster boil experiences, Murphy explains, “Our last stop before we arrive at our client’s home is the boat, where we take the lobsters right out of the water.” Fresh down to the flowers grown nearby at Harvest Moon Florals, the Howarth experience includes boiling 1¼-pound lobsters right on the lawn, served with corn on the cob, potatoes, and a raw bar option with oysters from Great Salt Pond growers. “A clambake wedding creates a local and casual feel that’s very memorable for guests attending, especially if they have never experienced a clambake,” says McGrath, whose wedding packages are fully customizable. “A lobster baked in a clambake has a very distinct flavor and texture. The slow cooking process is similar to slow cooking a pot roast where the meat falls apart and is very tender and has a bit of a smoky flavor.”

OCEAN STATE DETAILS

Give your guests the full Rhody seafood dining experience with ideas from the pros.

LOBSTER INITIATION

“A lot of our clients have incorporated a ‘How to eat a lobster’ instruction card as a favor,” says Melissa McGrath. “Others have created pails that include the wet nap, lobster crackers, bibs, etc.”

ISLANDER EXPERIENCE

Get a taste of the freshness Howarth Family Lobsters is serving with a visit to the island. “We attend the Saturday farmers market on Block Island where we sell our famous bluefish pate, black sea bass ceviche, live lobsters, and cooked lobster meat. We sell out quick!” Maddy Murphy shares.

GREAT OUTDOORS

All of Yawgoo Bakes’ menus can be brought to your location of choice or enjoyed on their sweeping Exeter facility on acres of fields and woods. “We also have two screened-in barn-like buildings allowing groups to enjoy our facility in any weather,” says Lin Patty.

Different bakemasters have different indicators of when the bake is done. Yawgoo Bakes judges by checking a test potato – and once it’s ready, guests can dig into steamers and mussels served with melted butter. Their staff split and cut lobster claws for easier access.

Tradition often dictates the ringing of a bell to open the bake, which McGrath Clambakes upholds. The bell tolls. Guests gather for the unveiling. “The layers of canvas are peeled away,” says McGrath. “Billows of steam rise from the bake, along with a surge of delicious aromas.” Followed by “oohs” and “ahhs,” the feast begins.

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