McGrath Clambakes in Newport RI caterer for meetings, conventions and corporate events

The 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. The bubbles are essential to the traditional cooking process as they provide the steam for cooking.

A bonfire is built with alternating layers of wood and rock. The fire heats the rocks to very high temperatures. Well tended, the fire will settle down to a bed of hot coals and rocks. The coals and rocks provide the heat needed to bake the food.



Old Fashioned Clambakes McGrath Clambakes, Inc. of Newport, RI is a full service catering firm that specializes in traditional old fashioned clambakes for meetings, corporate events, weddings and family parties. Clambakes have been a popular catering option for groups visiting Newport because they offer an unique culinary experience and one of people's favorite entrees -- lobster. Whether you're interested in hosting a casual company party or formal client dinner, your guests will enjoy gathering around the steaming pile of canvas to hear the story of how their dinner was prepared then the peeling away of the layers of canvas to reveal racks filled with clams, mussels, bright red lobsters and all the other makings of a true New England clambake.


	The 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. The bubbles are essential to the traditional cooking process as they provide the steam for cooking. A bonfire is built with alternating layers of wood and rock. The fire heats the rocks to very high temperatures. Well tended, the fire will settle down to a bed of hot coals and rocks. The coals and rocks provide the heat needed to bake the food.







		This base of rocks and coals are then covered with mounds of rockweed. The bubbles in the rockweed burst when heated emitting seawater that steams and seasons the food. At this point, the bakemaster works very quickly to capture as much heat as possible under the canvas. Racks of food are nestled into the rockweed. The food is artfully layered in a manner that ensures perfect cooking times and a wonderful balance of flavoring. The food is then covered with multiple layers of canvas and left to bake.
Racks of food are nestled into the rockweed. The food is artfully layered in a manner that ensures perfect cooking times and a wonderful balance of flavoring. The food is then covered with multiple layers of canvas and left to bake. After several hours of cooking, the Bakemaster indicates the opening of the bake by "The Ringing of the Bell". Guests are invited to gather around the clambake for its unveiling. A brief explanation of the cooking process is given. Then the layers of canvas are peeled away. Billows of steam rise from the bake along with a surge of delicious aromas. Many "oohs" and "ahhs" are heard from guests as they watch this unique event.