Boardwalk Clam Chowder Cook-Off 2019: Sign-Ups Are Open

SANTA CRUZ, CA, – The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is calling all chefs for its 38th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off, a two day fundraiser for Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department.

Amateur chefs will compete on Saturday, Feb. 23, and professional chefs on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.

The deadline to register is Feb. 4 with entry fees of $50 or $75 for professionals, such as restaurants, caterers and food services. For more information, entry forms and rules, click here.

Judges will determine the best Manhattan and Boston Clam Chowders in Amateur and Professional categories, while the public weighs in on awards for People’s Choice and Most Tasted Clam Chowders. Prizes include airline tickets, cash, wall plaques ... and bragging rights!

The event attracts competitors from throughout Northern California including professionals, like former “Top Chef” competitor Michael Midgley, plus families and friends with favorite recipes who enjoy competing in the seaside atmosphere.

Admission to the “rain or shine” Chowder Cook-Off is free, and tasting kits are $10 for six samples. Preparation starts at 10 a.m., cooking at 11 a.m. and public tasting is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. each day.

Last year the event attracted 70 entries and thousands of chowder fans, raising $100,000 for City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department programs, Boardwalk officials said. Since it began in 1981, the popular event has raised more than $1,489,500 for the parks and rec department.

A Monterey diner, Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle, featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, won last year's Best Professional Boston division last year. Their secret? “The main ingredient in our clam chowder is love,” said Loulou’s chef Gigi Davis.

Midgley’s Public House in Stockton, run by chef Michael Midgley, known for his appearances on Bravo TV’s Top Chef and Food Network’s Cut Throat Kitchen, was the judges’ choice for Best Professional Manhattan.

“I’ve visited Santa Cruz since I was a kid. I started cooking clam chowder and chili to start a new family tradition,” said Midgley, who has competed for a few years. “We’ve won seven plaques in four years and plan to keep crushing it!”

And if visitors wish to make a day of it at the Boardwalk, rides will run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting, and the Casino Arcade and Neptune’s Kingdom also will be open.

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--Image via Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk