New England Clambake
I tagged along with Ripka’s at the beach to document a fully catered seafood dining experience on Connecticut’s historic Sheffield Island.
Fresh clams and mussels ready for the clambake at Ripka’s on Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk on June 30, 2016
The Ripka’s van packed with all the accoutrement for a New England clambake. Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
Zach Ripka and Chris Tuturro of Ripka’s At The Beach sailing to Sheffield Island with clams, mussels and lobsters aboard. Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016.
The helm of Clyde Ripka’s boat heading to Sheffield Island. In the distance, Shea Island, a neighbor to Sheffield. Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016.
Zach Ripka and Chris Tuturro of Ripka’s At The Beach sailing to Sheffield Island with clams, mussels and lobsters aboard. Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016.
The Ripka’s crew, Clyde, Zach, and Chris, dock up to the Sheffield Island pier to begin unloading supplies for the clambake. Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016.
Zach and Chris, docked at Sheffield Island pier, begin unloading coolers of clams, mussels, and lobsters for that evening’s clambake. Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016.
The Ripka’s crew, Clyde, Chris, and Zach, carting clambake supplies onto Sheffield Island. Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
A view of the clambake from above, on top of Sheffield Island Light, overlooking Long Island Sound, in Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016.
Mussels and clams cooked in a butter and herb misture, open and ready for eating. Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
Chris Tuturro, Chef at Ripkas At the Beach puts corn on the grill as an ear catches fire. Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
The clambake setup and coastal ambiance on Sheffield Island in Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016
Grilled corn, the perfect side for a clambake. Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
Zach Ripka and Chris Tuturro prepare apetizers and sides for the clambake on Sheffield Island, in Norwalk, Conn. on June 30, 2016.
Zach Ripka prepares bowls of cooked clams and mussels for hungry guests on Sheffield Island. Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
Zach Ripka prepares bowls of cooked clams and mussels for hungry guests on Sheffield Island. Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
The clambake setup and coastal ambiance on Sheffield Island in Norwalk, Conn on June 30, 2016
Customers of the Ripka’s clambake, Patryk and Grace Zelechowski of Norwalk, Conn., dine beneath Sheffield Island Light on June 30, 2016.
Chris Tuturro, Chef at Ripkas At the Beach checks on the boiling lobsters as the sun descends on Sheffield Island in Norwalk, Conn. on June 30, 2016.
Guests of the island and the clambake wander Sheffield between courses. Norwalk, Conn. on June 30, 2016.
A very red lobster, still steaming, just out of the pot. Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
Clyde Ripka cuts into the tail of a lobster. Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.
Lobster, boiled and cracked, ready to eat. Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Conn. June 30, 2016.