Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off winners announced after 45th annual competition

JACQUELYN QUINONES WAS THERE AND HAS AN INSIDE LOOK. ## A 45-YEAR LONG STANDING SANTA CRUZ TRADITION NAT POP CLIP 3958 BUTT CLIP 3984 THESE CONTESTANTS WHO GOT A LOT OF RECOGNITION FROM LAST YEAR …ALREADY HAD A LONG LINE WAITING TO TRY THEIR SIGNATURE CLAM CHOWDER CLIP 3984 AND NEW CONTESTANTS WERE READY TO BRING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THE TABLE CLIP 3963 SOME EVEN TRAVELED FROM AS FAR AS JAPAN TO PUT THEIR CHOWDER TO THE TASTE TEST CLIP 3988 <00;00;19-00;00;25> EVENT ORGANIZERS SAY THERE ARE MULTIPLE CATEGORIES ON HOW THIS WILL BE JUDGED CLIP 3980 EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A FRIENDLY COMPETITION … THIS IS ALSO A FUNDRAISER THAT BENEFITS PARKS AND RECS TO HELP FUND YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING EVENTS AND PARK SYSTEMS CASH PRIZES WERE ALSO GIVEN OUT TO SOME OF TH

Updated: 12:00 PM PST Feb 23, 2026

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The city of Santa Cruz held its annual clam chowder cook-off today, concluding at 4 p.m., with more than 30 contestants from around the world participating in this 45-year-long tradition.“This is our second year, we’re really excited about it, learning more and more every single year, it’s a really fun community-oriented time, and yeah, it’s a friendly competition,” one participant, Alisha Dodds, said.Last year, some contestants received second place in the judges’ choice category and hoped for a different outcome this year. These contestants, who gained recognition last year, already had a long line of people waiting to try their signature clam chowder.“Everybody has the same recipe, but nobody has the same ingredients, that’s the trick right there,” another contestant said.New contestants were eager to bring something different to the table. “You want me to give you my secrets? I will say this, I love bacon, but I don’t eat pork, so one of our secret things is beef bacon,” a third participant shared.Some participants traveled from as far as Japan to test their chowder against others. “He wants to compare Japanese taste with U.S. taste to see which one’s better,” Hiro, a contestant, explained.Event organizers noted that there are multiple categories for judging. “You do get bonus points on judging for more of a traditional recipe, but you never know what you’re going to get,” they said.While the event is a friendly competition, it also serves as a fundraiser benefiting parks and recreation to help fund youth scholarships, recreational programming events and park systems. Cash prizes were awarded to some of the winners.Winners (Professional Competition – Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026):People’s Choice (Boston): The Point Kitchen and BarPeople’s Choice (Manhattan): The Eastside EateryBest Boston:1st: UC Santa Cruz Dining2nd: The Eastside Eatery3rd: Purgatory Craft Beer and WhiskeyBest Manhattan:1st: Dominican Oaks Retirement Community2nd: The Eastside Eatery3rd: UC Santa Cruz DiningMost Tasted:1st: Ideal Bar & Grill2nd: The Point Kitchen and Bar3rd: The Rustic Table RestaurantBest Booth Theming:1st: Kick Butt Chowder2nd: Seascape Golf – Masters of Chowder3rd: Jack O’Neill RestaurantSee more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

The city of Santa Cruz held its annual clam chowder cook-off today, concluding at 4 p.m., with more than 30 contestants from around the world participating in this 45-year-long tradition.

“This is our second year, we’re really excited about it, learning more and more every single year, it’s a really fun community-oriented time, and yeah, it’s a friendly competition,” one participant, Alisha Dodds, said.

Last year, some contestants received second place in the judges’ choice category and hoped for a different outcome this year.

These contestants, who gained recognition last year, already had a long line of people waiting to try their signature clam chowder.

“Everybody has the same recipe, but nobody has the same ingredients, that’s the trick right there,” another contestant said.

New contestants were eager to bring something different to the table.

“You want me to give you my secrets? I will say this, I love bacon, but I don’t eat pork, so one of our secret things is beef bacon,” a third participant shared.

Some participants traveled from as far as Japan to test their chowder against others.

“He wants to compare Japanese taste with U.S. taste to see which one’s better,” Hiro, a contestant, explained.

Event organizers noted that there are multiple categories for judging.

“You do get bonus points on judging for more of a traditional recipe, but you never know what you’re going to get,” they said.

While the event is a friendly competition, it also serves as a fundraiser benefiting parks and recreation to help fund youth scholarships, recreational programming events and park systems. Cash prizes were awarded to some of the winners.

Winners (Professional Competition – Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026):

People’s Choice (Boston): The Point Kitchen and BarPeople’s Choice (Manhattan): The Eastside EateryBest Boston:
1st: UC Santa Cruz Dining
2nd: The Eastside Eatery
3rd: Purgatory Craft Beer and WhiskeyBest Manhattan:
1st: Dominican Oaks Retirement Community
2nd: The Eastside Eatery
3rd: UC Santa Cruz DiningMost Tasted:
1st: Ideal Bar & Grill
2nd: The Point Kitchen and Bar
3rd: The Rustic Table RestaurantBest Booth Theming:
1st: Kick Butt Chowder
2nd: Seascape Golf – Masters of Chowder
3rd: Jack O’Neill Restaurant

See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel