Saturday, February 21 –
Sunday, February 22, 2026
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. 2026 cook-off details coming soon! Stay in the loop by signing up for our Boardwalk Newsletters.
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!
2025 COMPETITION RESULTS
Amateur Competition – Saturday, February 22, 2025
People’s Choice
(Boston)
People’s Choice
(Manhattan)
Best Boston
1st Place: The Silence of the Clams
2nd Place: Millie’s Best Boston
3rd Place: All Clams Matter
Best Manhattan
1st Place: Little Neck Rex
2nd Place: Dragonmama’s Portuguese Red
3rd Place: Clam Halen
Mosted Tasted
1st Place: The Silence of the Clams (1656 tastes)
2nd Place: 4 Men and a Clam (Boston)
3rd Place: Bloody Brilliant Chowder
Best Booth Theming
1st Place: The Silence of the Clams
2nd Place: Rocky Horror Clam Show
3rd Place: The Krusty Klam
Professional Competition – Sunday, February 23, 2025
Thank you to all professional teams (restaurants, camps, universities, corporate kitchens, catering, etc.) who participated:
People’s Choice
(Boston)
People’s Choice
(Manhattan)
Best Boston
1st Place: The Rustic Table
2nd Place: The Point Kitchen and Bar
3rd Place: Ideal Bar & Grill
Best Manhattan
1st Place: Seascape Golf Club: Masters Edition
2nd Place: Redwood Sluggers
3rd Place: Bearded Clams Unite
Mosted Tasted
1st Place: Ideal Bar & Grill (2,405 tastes)
2nd Place: Dominican Oaks
3rd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
Best Booth Theming
1st Place: Seascape Golf Club: Masters Edition
2nd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
3rd Place: Chowder Slugs/Redwood Sluggers
The Clam Chowder Cook-Off is an important fundraiser for the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. Last year, more than $130,000.00 was raised!
Thank You to our Clam Chowder Cook-Off Sponsors
