The 37th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off 

Saturday-Sunday, February 24-25, 2018

Now a 2-Day Event! Rain or Shine!!

Amateur chefs will compete on Saturday, followed by professional chefs on Sunday. 

Join the delicious festivities as amateur and professional chefs prepare their finest clam chowder recipes along the Boardwalk. Teams compete in the friendly competition, hoping to win prizes and bragging rights for BEST CLAM CHOWDER in the country's largest and longest running clam chowder competition! Clam Chowder Cook-Off competition guidelines

Try some Clam Chowder

The Boardwalk is admission free! You may purchase tasting kits to sample the clammy concoctions. 

Tasting kits are $10.00 each. Each Tasting Kit includes 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People's Choice ballot. 100% of Tasting Kit sales benefit Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation.

Cook-Off Schedule

Saturday, February 24, 2018 - Amateur Teams

• 10 am Tasting Kits go on sale
• 10 am - 11 am Preparation period (no heat)
• 11 am - 1 pm Cooking period
• 1 pm Public tasting begins
• 4 pm Amateur Division winners announced at the Beach Amphitheater

Sunday, February 25, 2018 - Professional Teams

• 10 am Tasting Kits go on sale
• 10 am - 11 am Preparation period (no heat)
• 11 am - 1 pm Cooking period
• 1 pm Public tasting begins
• 4 pm Professional Division winners announced at the Beach Amphitheater

Awards will be given for Best Clam Chowder in each division for both Boston and Manhattan, plus People's Choice, Most Tasted, and Best Theming. Awards include plaques, cash prizes, round-trip airfare courtesy of United Airlines, and bragging rights!

1st - Lawless Clam – David Livingston, Danville
2nd - Rosie's Clam & Get It - Bob Dixon, Soquel
3rd - Clamalicious – Roben Webb, Rio Linda

1st - Manhattan Madhatters - Todd Rumbaugh, Santa Cruz
2nd - Team Man-Hat-Tan - Scott Goodrich, Scotts Valley
3rd - Dragonmama's Portuguese Red - Michele Hartmangruber, Fremont

1st - Keep Clam and Chowder On – Ian Fiddes, Santa Cruz
2nd - Rosie's Clam & Get It - Bob Dixon, Soquel
3rd - Silence of the Clams - Brian Edwards, Campbell

1st - 4 Men and a Clam - Wayne Locke, Scotts Valley
2nd - Rosie's Clam and Get It - Bob Dixon, Soquel
3rd - Silence of the Clams - Brian Edwards, Campbell

1st - East Side Eatery – Derek Rupp, Santa Cruz
2nd - JV's BBQ – John Gerardo Viray, San Jose
3rd - Team Sutter – Corby Chavez, Santa Cruz

1st - East Side Eatery – Derek Rupp, Santa Cruz
2nd - Midgley's Public House – Michael Midgley, Stockton
3rd - Devil's Slide Taproom – Matthew Clarke, Pacifica

1st - Food Lab at Pacific Elementary, Davenport – "Kick Butt Chowder"
2nd - Dominican Oaks, Santa Cruz – "Killer Klowns from Chowder Space"
3rd - Pirates of Bodega Bay, Bodega Bay

1st - Ideal Bar & Grill, Santa Cruz
2nd - Sesnon House/Cabrillo College, Aptos
3rd - Dominican Oaks, Santa Cruz