Call for Clam Chowder Chefs!

The deadline for chefs to register for the 35th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off and Festival is February 8. The event gets underway on Saturday, February 20 at the Boardwalk.

A panel of judges will determine the Best Manhattan and Best Boston Clam Chowders in both Amateur and Professional categories. There are also awards for People’s Choice, and Most Tasted Clam Chowders. Prizes include airline tickets, cash, wall plaques, and bragging rights.

Over $3000 in prizes!

• Every team will be entered in a cash drawing for $250
• Most Original Team wins $250
• Top three Most Tasted chowders win cash prizes
• First place Best Of category winners get $150 in cash and enter drawing for two round-trip airline tickets courtesy of United Airlines.
• People’s Choice winners enter drawing for two round-trip airline tickets courtesy of United Airlines

The fee to compete is $50, or $75 for cooking professionals (restaurants, caterers, and food services.) For more information, entry forms, and rules please visit www.beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder or call Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation 831-420-5273.

All proceeds from the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off benefit the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department.

Last year the event attracted 74 entries and thousands of chowder fans, bringing in  $68,000 for Parks and Recreation Department programs. The popular event has raised $1.2 million since it started in 1981.

Admission to the  “rain or shine” Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook Off & Festival is free. Visitors can watch chefs prepare their special chowders, and for $10.00 taste up to five different chowders. Cooks begin prepping at 10 a.m., tasting starts at 1 p.m., and winners are announced at 4 p.m.

Boardwalk rides hours are 10am to 6pm on the day of the event, weather permitting. The Casino Arcade and Neptune’s Kingdom will also be open.

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Five Reasons to Love the
Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off

Whether you enjoy traditional Boston clam chowder or Manhattan red, you’ll find plenty to love at The Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-off on February 20.

1. Fun Times — Contestants take their cooking very seriously, but when it comes to fun, wild costumes and crazy booths attract tasters and help contestants win votes. Don’t be surprised if Hannibal Lecter serves your chowder at Silence of the Clams or meet the Big Clam Chowdski at Wine with Swine.
2. The Great Outdoors — Whatever the weather, fresh ocean air goes perfectly with clam chowder. Work up an appetite with a scream on the Giant Dipper, then take a stroll along the Boardwalk as the chefs prepare their ingredients. It’s a colorful, friendly spectacle, filled with the sizzling smells of yummy ingredients.
3. People Watching —Watch the show! Foodies from all around the Bay Area roll into town to sample their way through dozens of clam chowders. Between the costumed chefs, hungry locals, and happy visitors enjoying a day in Santa Cruz, it’s an upbeat, fun-loving crowd.
4. Community Benefits — The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department receives all the proceeds from the event, last year that was a whopping $67,000! Since it started in 1981, the Clam Chowder Cook-Off has raised over $1.2 million for local Parks & Recreation programs.
5. Delicious chowder — It’s NorCal’s largest selection of clam chowder! You’ll find more than 60 different chowders like a giant buffet.

The 35th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off gets underway at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on Saturday, February 20. Admission is free, tasting kits (5 taste tickets) purchased for $10. Tasting starts at 1 p.m. Arrive by 11 a.m. for the full experience.

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For more information visit beachboardwalk.com/chowder or call 831-420-5273.