Voted the World’s Best Seaside Park

2025 Date: TBD

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 participating in this year’s Cook-Off! With your help, the event raised much-needed funds for The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department.

Amateur Competition Results – Saturday, February 24, 2024

Best Boston

  1. Rocky Horror Clam Show
  2. Pete’s Clamtastic
  3. 831 Fam

Best Manhattan

  1. Big C’s
  2. Clam Halen
  3. Grateful Clams

People’s Choice Winner

Boston
  1. 4 Men & A Clam

People’s Choice Winner

Manhattan
  1. 4 Men and a Clam

Most Tasted 

  1. 4 Men & A Clam
  2. The Silence of the Clams
  3. Bloody Brilliant Chowder

Best Theming 

  1. Clamstock
  2. The Silence of the Clams
  3. The Clams Department

Professional Competition Results – Sunday, February 25, 2024

Best Boston 

  1. Seascape Golf Course
  2. Latin Asian Fusion Kitchen
  3. Jack O’Neill Restaurant/Dream Inn

Best Manhattan 

  1. Coasties Clam Chowder
  2. Redwood Sluggers (UCSC Dining)
  3. Dominican Oaks

People’s Choice Winner

Boston
  1.  Ideal Bar & Grill

People’s Choice Winner

Manhattan
  1. Redwood Sluggers (UCSC Dining)

Most Tasted

  1. Ideal Bar & Grill
  2. Jack O’Neill Restaurant/Dream Inn
  3. Chowder Slugs (UCSC Dining)

Best Theming 

  1. Jack O’Neill Restaurant/Dream Inn
  2. Kick-Butt Chowder
  3. Seascape Golf Course

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

KMBY

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