The 38th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off 

Saturday-Sunday, February 23-24, 2019

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

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

Cook Off Guidelines 

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! 

Try some Clam Chowder

The Boardwalk is admission free! You may purchase tasting kits to sample the clammy concoctions. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 am on event day. No pre-event ticket sales.

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 23, 2019 - 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 24, 2019 - 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!

4 Men & a Clam - Wayne Locke, Scotts Valley

Most Tasted Professional

Ideal Bar & Grill - Santa Cruz