Midgley’s takes 1st Place at the Clam Chowder Cook-Off! in Santa Cruz

Clam Chowder Cook-Off Raises $100K For Santa Cruz Parks & Rec

37th annual event sets new fundraising record.

By Santa Cruz  Patch 

 

From Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department announced that the 37th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off set a fundraising record this year, raising $100, 000 for City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department programs. The event has raised over $1,489,500 for Parks & Rec since it started in 1981. Parks & Recreation Director Mauro Garcia was pleased to hear the final numbers. “The increase in the proceeds from this event will ensure more kids in our community can receive scholarships to our popular summer camps,” Garcia said.

Midgley’s Public House in Stockton was the judges’ choice for Best Professional Manhattan.

Celebrity Chef Michael Midgley is best known for his appearances on Bravo TV’s TopChef and Food Network’s Cut Throat Kitchen. Midgley has competed in the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off and the Santa Cruz Chili Cook-Off for the past few years, and typically places near the top. “I’ve visited Santa Cruz since I was a kid. I started cooking clam chowder and chili to start a new family tradition,” Midgley said. “We’ve won 7 plaquesin 4 years and plan to keep crushing it!”

Other restaurants scoring high points include previous winner and local favorites East Side Eatery, Rosie McCann’s and Joe’s Santa Cruz. UCSC’s Redwood Sluggers and JV’s BBQ in San Jose won People’s Choice awards for top amateur chowders.

“We’re really proud to work with Santa Cruz Parks & Rec on this very successful event,” said Boardwalk director Kris Reyes. “Through this popular cook-off and other major fundraisers like Drive for Schools with Capitola Auto Mall Dealer Group, Bowl for Kid’s Sake with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Strike out Hunger with Second Harvest of Santa Cruz County, we’re able to really leverage our resources to help local families.”

For a complete list of winners and a link to event photos visit https://www.beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder/

Full Story: https://patch.com/california/santacruz/clam-chowder-cook-raises-100k-santa-cruz-parks-rec

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