If you’re such a big chowderhead (and we mean that in the nicest way possible) that you’re not content to enjoy the soup one restaurant bowl at a time, there’s a solution:
Head to the place where you can sample, oh, 40 or 50 chowders. Or more.
That would be the Beach Boardwalk on Feb. 24-25 for the 37th annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off. Again this year, the massive event will span two days, with amateurs competing on Saturday and professional chefs on Sunday.
Categories include Best Boston Clam Chowder and Best Manhattan Clam Chowder (that’s the red one). A panel of judges will determine those winners. There are also prizes for People’s Choice, Most Tasted Chowder and Most Original Booth Design.
Admission to the Boardwalk is free on contest days, as it is always. The public tasting will run from 1 to 3 p.m. both days (because of crowds, you’d be wise to arrive early). Tasting kits cost $10 for six tastes and a People’s Choice ballot.
