How We Prepare a Traditional New England Clambake

McGrath Clambakes is one of the few companies that still prepare a clambake using the traditional cooking process passed down from early New England Colonists. This process begins early in the day when crews are sent out to pick fresh "rockweed" off the local coast.

A bonfire is built at the event site 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 which 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. 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 cooking, the layers of canvas are then peeled back, billows of steam rise, and the perfect summer meal is revealed!

"McGrath Clambakes catered our 4th of July wedding and we couldn't have been more pleased with their services. They were lovely to deal with, extraordinarily helpful, the service was above and beyond, and the food was insanely delicious."