The 2019 Chowder Challenge contestants are:

The Anchor Bay Store – Chef Barbara Orozco

Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen – Chef Kwanjai Wong

Black Oak Catering – Chef Tanya Radtkey

Coast Kitchen – Timber Cove Resort – Chefs Luis Rabago, Sandy Maldonado, Juan Carlos

The Gualala Hotel – Chef Brandon Carr

The Gualala Hotel – Chef Justin Doughty

The Gualala Seafood Shack- Chef Ross Woodward

Chef- Michael Jolliffe

Chef – Jeanine Pfeiffer

The Vue – Chefs John Miller & David Shahriari

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In the tastiest event of the popular Whale & Jazz festival, local chefs & cooks vie for the title of “Best Mendonoma Coast Chowder” in the 16th Annual Chowder Challenge. Last year’s winner, Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen will likely be back to defend their title!

As per previous years, two categories will be judged, Traditional New England-style Clam Chowder and Open Class. Challenge attendees will vote for People’s Choice and Most Tasted awards. The Open Class includes but is not limited to Manhattan-style Clam, Crab, Shrimp, Scallop, Lobster, Abalone, Salmon, or any other seafood combination. Vegetarian chowders such as corn or mushroom are also eligible.

Whether you’re a local professional chef, a home-kitchen gourmet, or a chowder connoisseur, competition for the Golden Cup is expected from Mendocino and Sonoma County challengers vying for the golden cup and title of “Best Mendonoma Chowder”! Find Entrant Applications Here.

Last year’s big winner was Chef Kwanjai Wong of **Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen** with a red seafood curry recipe. You can bet they are coming back to defend their title!

Other winners were Second Place Overall for Pier Chowder House & Tap Room’s Chef Adrian Barragan; Third Place Overall for Cape Fear of Cafe of Duncans Mills with a traditional chowder by Chef Joshua Streeter;  and First Place Most Tasted went to Tanya Radtkey of Black Oak Catering.

Barnebey’s Hot Four

A highlight each year is the concert of traditional New Orleans jazz, this year performed once again by the ever-popular “Barnebey’s Hot Four” of Sonoma County, returning to the Gualala Arts Center for the tenth straight year. The repertoire for the afternoon will include old favorites, the resurrection of some obscure musical gems from the golden age of jazz, and probably a few surprises for musicians and listeners alike, all in the tradition of the Big Easy. Those wanting to work off their chowder tasting with dancing will find themselves toe-tapping and boot-stomping as the infectious beats of New Orleans pushes them towards the dance floor!

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Event Sponsors:

Surf Market

Lagunitas Brewing Company

North Coast Brewing Company

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Tickets

Tickets are $25 in advance; $5 more day of the event and includes commemorative wine or beer glasses and 15 chowder-tasting tickets, complete with hot bread fresh out of the oven and beverages, including local fine wines and microbrews as well as soft beverages. Additional tasting tickets will be available onsite for $1 each.

Free admission for music only.

For advance purchase, visit Brown Paper Tickets. To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.

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