Saturday, Feb. 24 –
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024
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!
Thank you for another spectacular Clam Chowder Cook-Off!
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!
Try Some Clam Chowder!
The Boardwalk admission is free! Just purchase a Tasting Kit to sample the clammy concoctions.
Tasting Kits are $15 and include 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot.
Come Early! Supplies are limited.
100% of Tasting Kit sales benefit Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.
Enter a Team!
The competition features four categories.
Competing Saturday
- Amateur Boston
- Amateur Manhattan
Competing Sunday
- Professional Boston
- Professional Manhattan
Awards will be given for Best Clam Chowder in each category, plus People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Best Theme.
Awards include plaques, cash prizes and bragging rights!
Registration deadline: Feb. 19, 2024
Register by Feb. 12, 2024 to get two event t-shirts & two Boardwalk Ride Wristbands included.
Check Back soon for team registration.
Cook-Off Schedule
Saturday, February 24, 2024 • Amateur Teams
- 10am Tasting Kits go on sale
- 10am-11am Preparation period (no heat)
- 11am-1pm Cooking period
- 1pm Public tasting begins
- 4pm Amateur Division winners announced at the Colonnade Stage (near Pirate Ship)
Sunday, February 25, 2024 • Professional Teams
- 10am Tasting Kits go on sale
- 10am-11am Preparation period (no heat)
- 11am-1pm Cooking period
- 1pm Public tasting begins
- 4pm Professional Division winners announced at the Colonnade Stage (near Pirate Ship)
Amateur Competition Results – Saturday, February 25, 2023
Best Boston
- Ranchero Chido Chouder
- Pete’s Clamtastic
- Bloody Brilliant Chowder
Best Manhattan
- Dragonmama’s Portuguese Red
- Its Clammer Time
- Stetson’s Chowder
People’s Choice Winners
Boston
Silence of the Clams
People’s Choice Winners
Manhattan
- 4 Men and a Clam
Most Tasted
- The Silence of the Clams
- 4 Men and a Clam
- Rocky Horror Clam Show
Best Booth Theming
- Clamstock
- Silence of the Clams
- Clam Adams
Professional Competition Results – Sunday, February 26, 2023
Best Boston
- Midgleys Public House
- The East Side Eatery
- Capitola Bar & Grill
Best Manhattan
- Coasties Clam Chowder
- Tequila Joe’s Taco Beast
- Midgleys Public House
People’s Choice Winner (Professional)
Boston
- Ideal Bar & Grill
People’s Choice Winners (Professional)
Manhattan
Coasties Clam Chowder
Most Tasted
- Killer Clams From Chowder Space
- Ideal Bar & Grill
- Wilma Lott Catering
Best Booth Theming
- California Inspirations
- Capitola Bar & Grill
- Let’s Go Clamping
The Clam Chowder Cook-Off is an important fundraiser for the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. Last year, more than $90,000.00 was raised!
Thank You to our Clam Chowder Cook-Off Sponsors
