Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off

California's Largest Admission Free Amusement Park

Saturday, February 20 –
Sunday, February 21, 2027

Park employee giving thumbs up

Park employee giving thumbs up

Park employee giving thumbs up

Park employee giving thumbs up

Home › Clam Chowder Cook-Off

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.

2027 cook-off details coming soon!

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Amateur chefs compete on Saturday, followed by professional chefs on Sunday, hoping to win great prizes and bragging rights for BEST CLAM CHOWDER in the country’s largest and longest-running clam chowder competition!

Competition Results

Team Rules & Info

Sponsors

2026 COMPETITION RESULTS

Amateur Competition – Saturday, February 21, 2026

People’s Choice
(Boston)

People’s Choice
(Manhattan)

Best Boston

1st Place: Bloody Brilliant Chowder

2nd Place: Mad About Chowder

3rd Place: 4 Men And A Clam

Best Manhattan

1st Place: Bloody Brilliant Chowder

2nd Place: Dragonmama’s Portuguese Red

3rd Place: Stetson Chowder

Mosted Tasted

1st Place: The Silence Of The Clams

2nd Place: 4 Men And A Clam

3rd Place: Rosie The Riveter

Best Booth Theming

1st Place: Rosie The Riveter

2nd Place: The Silence Of The Clams

3rd Place: Clam I Am

Professional Competition – Sunday, February 22, 2026

People’s Choice
(Boston)

People’s Choice
(Manhattan)

Best Boston

1st Place: UC Santa Cruz Dining

2nd Place: The Eastside Eatery

3rd Place: Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey

Best Manhattan

1st Place: Dominican Oaks Retirement Community

2nd Place: The Eastside Eatery

3rd Place: UC Santa Cruz Dining

Mosted Tasted

1st Place: Ideal Bar & Grill

2nd Place: The Point Kitchen and Bar

3rd Place: The Rustic Table Restaurant

Best Booth Theming

1st Place: Kick Butt Chowder

2nd Place: Seascape Golf – Masters of Chowder

3rd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant

A huge thank you to all of the incredible professional teams who competed in this year’s 2026 Clam Chowder Cook‑Off!
We appreciate your talent, creativity, and community spirit. Be sure to visit and support these amazing locations all year long:

Holy Chowda
Seascape Golf
Low Tide Bar & Grill
The Rustic Table Restaurant
Jack O’Neil Restaurant
UC Santa Cruz Dining
Parish Publick House
Bearded Clams Bros.
Ideal Bar & Grill
Dominican Oaks Retirement Community
Psycho Donuts
Seascape Resort
Kick Butt Chowder
The Eastside Eatery
The Point Kitchen and Bar
Food Fix
Harry’s Junction
Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey
Smokey Charles
Gilda’s Family Restaurant
El Lopo
Cafe Coda
Encompass Community Services
Killer Klams From Outer Space – Chef Anna Steege
Johnny’s Harborside

Thank You to our Clam Chowder Cook-Off Sponsors

Event Photos on Facebook

Discover The Inns of Santa Cruz

A Collection for Every Occassion

The Inns of Santa Cruz offers a variety of accommodations, perfect for every occasion. From romantic getaways to extended family-friendly adventures, our properties are conveniently located within walking distance of the beach, Boardwalk and so much more.

FIND Your Perfect Room

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1. Advance Purchase Requirement

Group orders must be pre-purchased online prior to your visit.
On-site group ride wristband purchases will not be available or accommodated.

2. Add-ons

MyBoardwalk Cards for food and arcade games can be added at the time of your ride wristband purchase.
Please note that all food and game locations are cashless and require a MyBoardwalk Card or other electronic payment methods.
Wristbands may be added in a single add-on transaction on the day of your visit. Additional wristbands cannot be added later in the day.

3. Payment

Purchase Orders are not accepted.
For check payments, please email [email protected] to request an invoice. Be sure to allow up to 3 business days for invoice processing prior to your group visit.
Accepted payment methods include: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and MyBoardwalk Cards.
All purchases must be completed in a single payment transaction.

4. Group Check-In Procedure

Your group order will be prepared and available for pick-up on the day of your visit at the Season Pass & Groups Services Office, located at the Main Entrance of the park.
The designated group leader must present the order number (for online purchases) or reservation number (for manual invoices) upon arrival at check-in. The leader must also provide the name of the individual who placed the order.
Individual printed tickets are not required for each group member.
If ride wristbands are included in your order, the entire group must be present at check-in.
A staff member is required to wristband individuals who purchased a ride wristband.
The group leader is responsible for checking in the full group and confirming which individuals will receive ride wristbands. Wristbands will not be distributed unless the group leader is present.

5. Parking

Standard parking rates apply for all group visits.
Parking in all Boardwalk lots is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No in-and-out privileges are permitted.
Parking fees are charged at a daily flat rate. For current pricing, please visit
https://beachboardwalk.com/directions.
Only school or group charter buses may park free of charge in the River Lot. Buses may unload guests in the street loading zone between Neptune’s Kingdom and the Main Entrance, then proceed to park in the River Lot located at 100 3rd St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Bus parking is limited and not guaranteed. No in-and-out privileges are permitted.

6. Refunds and Exchanges

No refunds.
Exchanges from ride wristbands to MyBoardwalk Cards (equal to the paid value of the wristband) may be issued for individuals who did not attend.
Exchanges will only be honored if the minimum group size of 15 is met and the order is paid in full.
The Boardwalk is not responsible for lost wristbands.

7. Supervision of Minors

Chaperones and guardians are responsible for the behavior and supervision of minors in their group. Appropriate conduct is expected at all times. The park does not assume responsibility or liability for unattended minors.

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