Calling All Chefs to the 38th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off & Festival

What could be better than chowing down on chowder on a nippy day in February at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk? If you’re a consumer, probably nothing, but if you’re a professional chef, winning Best Chowder in either the Professional Boston or Manhattan categories might be a crowning achievement.

The City of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk wantschefs, caterers, food service providers and food truck operators to show off their culinary chops at the Professional Clam Chowder Cook-Off to be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. This is your chance to show the world you have what it takes to thrill the crowd with your most excellent chowder recipe.

The benefits are many:

• Giant exposure on event day. This is the largest and longest running Clam Chowder Cook Off in the US, with thousands in attendance.  Get your name in front of potential customers, hand out cards, and collect emails!
• Winners are listed in the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Summer Activity Guide distributed to over 43,000 Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley residents
• Winners are posted on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk event page for the entire year.
• Winners are posted on the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation event page post event
• Winners are announced on City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Facebook (over 6,000 followers) and Instagram
• Did We Mention Cash Prizes?
  • $250 for 1^stplace Best Boston and Best Manhattan
  • $250, $150, $100 for Most Tasted
  • $250 for Best Theming – get creative!
  • $250 for People’s Choice, both Boston and Manhattan
  • $250 for Professional Drawing winner – random drawing with all professional winners
  • Chance to win 2 round-trip United Airlines tickets – random drawing with all professional winners

Event director, Rachel Kaufman, Supervisor Events, Classes and Marketing for the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation, says that competitors get really clever with themes, team names and booth decor. “Last year, we had entries like Clams of Anarchy, Clam Halen, Clam-Ba-Laya, 4 Men & a Clam and Silence of the Clams. People really get into it and have fun!”

Each year, over 80 professional and amateur teams, each sporting a team name with a unique theme, compete in this two-day chowder festival all along the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It’s the largest, longest running chowder cook-off competition in the country. Now in its 38^th year, the festival is also an important fundraiser for the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation department.

This year, says Kaufman, The City of Santa Cruz is also looking for craft beer pubs to participate. “We know we have some great brewpubs here in the region, cooking up some great food. If we get at least ten to sign up, they will compete in their own separate category.”

While no alcohol is served as part of the festival, attendees can purchase their own from Boardwalk concessionaires.

Let’s take a look at last year’s winners:

Best Professional Boston Clam Chowder Winners, 2018

1st – Loulou’s – Gigi Davis, Monterey
2nd – Rosie McCann’s – Cervando Maya, Santa Cruz
3rd – Eastside Eatery – Derek Rupp, Santa Cruz

Best Professional Manhattan Clam Chowder Winners, 2018

1st – Midgley’s Public House – Michael Midgley, Stockton
2nd – East Side Eatery – Derek Rupp, Santa Cruz
3rd – Joe’s Santa Cruz – Jim Hammana, Santa Cruz

Best Theming Professional Team Winners, 2018

1st – Cucina Bambini – Shelley Ballard, San Jose
2nd – Food Lab @ Pacific Elementary – Emelia Miguel, Davenport
3rd – Mackenzies Bar & Grill – Alan Vonderwerth, Santa Cruz

Most Tasted Professional Team Winners, 2018

1st – Ideal Bar & Grill – Santa Cruz
2nd – Rebels Without a Kitchen – Jose Landeros, Santa Cruz
3rd – Dominican Oaks – Matt Mettalia, Santa Cruz

People’s Choice Awards, Professional, 2018

Professional Boston:

JV’s BBQ – John Gerardo Viray, San Jose

Professional Manhattan:

Redwood Sluggers (UCSC) – Josh Martin, Santa Cruz

It’s possible to enter both Boston and Manhattan categories and win in each, as Derek Rupp of East Side Eatery did in fine style last year.

Entrants are welcome in four different categories, with the Amateur Competition held on Saturday, February 23, followed by the Professional Competition on Sunday, February 24

 

1. Amateur Boston

2. Amateur Manhattan

3. Professional Boston

4. Professional Manhattan

Amateur chefs are those who whip up their chowder in their home kitchen while professionals include those in the restaurant, food service or catering industries.

A word about the two chowder categories. Boston clam chowder, also referred to as New England clam chowder, has been around since the 1830s. It consists of a rich, creamy, thick base made from milk or cream and includes potatoes, onions and clams. It may also incorporate pork or bacon but never tomatoes. Never. Legislation was even introduced in Maine in 1939 to prevent the addition of tomatoes to New England clam chowder, but never passed, as Mainers know better anyway. And while we’re at it, please don’t use cream of celery soup, either.

Manhattan clam chowder came into existence in the mid-1800s when the Italian population in New York bucked tradition and began adding tomatoesto their recipe. Traditionally, this does not contain milk or cream, and instead is filled with tiny chopped vegetables, including carrots, potato, onion and celery.

Judging of each chowder is based on three primary criteria:

1. Flavor
2. Color
3. Consistency

Traditional recipes are typically given greater consideration.Judges will also award a prize for Best Theming, which will be based upon originality, costumes, and booth décor. This is an open invitation to be creative and add your own visual ‘flavor’ to your tents.

Well, it’s almost time to get cooking! But first, you need to register. Priority access to prime spots will be given to those registering early, so sign up soon. Returning chefs will be given preference on the location of their booth.

Registration opens online and by mail on November 1^stat: beachboardwalk.com/Clam-Chowder-Cook-Off

This year’s sponsors include: United Airlines; Crystal Springs, Berkeley Farms, Xfinity, KPIG, KWAV, BOBFM, KCDU, The Hippo Santa Cruz Waves, Good Times and Dream Inn.

For further info contact:
Rachel Kaufman
Supervisor Events, Classes and Marketing
City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation
(831) 420-5273