Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy, host of the internationally syndicated television series “Beyond Your Backyard” for PBS to recognize 2021 ChowderMonth restaurants.
We are proud to announce the perfect pairing for the 2021 Traveling Taster LBI ChowderMonth Closing Ceremonies, Emmy WinningTravel Host Erik Hastings will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Announcements to take place center stage at the Taylor Avenue Waterfront in Beach Haven on October 3 at 3pm. This is part of the Free 2 Day Bayfront Festival Saturday October 2 11 to 4pm and Sunday 11-4pm. The event features live music, pumpkin patch, vendor village, food for purchase, local artisans, beer on tap, wine and seltzer on ice.
This year the Chowder Capital of NJ worked to keep the spirit of the iconic LBI Chowderfest moving forward with the addition of the Traveling Taster Technology, assisting fans to support restaurants directly throughout the month to purchase competitive chowder for take out or to dine in. The competition brought 15 soups, 13 restaurants, with voting through mobile devices ending October 2 at 11:55pm. Hastings is no stranger to being on the go, traveling more than 23 weeks per year as host and editor of the internationally syndicated television series. In 2005, Erik launched his own production company that specialized in creating high-quality travel videos for online distribution. Since inception, he has amassed an impressive client roster including Hertz, The Greenbrier Resort, CruiseOne, Carnival, Pinehurst, Iberostar, and countless official tourism bureaus throughout the world. In 2017, Erik and his team began production on “Beyond Your Backyard”, a new educational travel series for Blue Ridge PBS. Debuting in April 2018 on Blue Ridge PBS and other public broadcasting stations and quickly gained national attention and new affiliates. Today, the series is seen by millions of viewers nationwide. The series is syndicated by NETA, carried on the CREATE Channel, represented internationally by TVS and available to Amazon Prime members. In it’s first season, the series was honored by the industry with two EMMY awards for the show and its host.
To learn more about Erik Hastings subscribe to his You Tube Channel https://www.youtube.com/erikthetravelguy. The Southern Ocean Chamber would like to thank the community member volunteers and ChowderMonth Signature Sponsors Fantasy Island Amusement Park, Entertainment Sponsor Health Village Imaging, ChowderVote Sponsor Hackensack Meridian Health Southern Ocean Medical Center and Vendor Village Premiere Sponsor Barlow Buick GMC, Anderson Insurance, Ritchie & Page, Michelob Ultra, 609 Security, Atlantic Shores, NJ Division of Travel & Tourism, Lew Richards of Crust & Crumb Bakery, Ocean County Board of Chosen Commissioners, The Sandpaper, The Beach Comber, Beasley Media, Potts Excavating and Reynolds Garden Shop.