Chowder Day Winners

Bay Bites - Chowder Day in Bodega Bay 2010 

After two weeks of heavy rains, many wondered: would Mother Nature co-operate? 

Alarmed by the local press, all week long worried people called frantically asking “If it rains, will you still have Chowder Day in Bodega Bay? Will you have enough tickets? What if you run out of Chowder? Is there anything else to do in the area?” 

Despite the worries, Chowder Day was a complete success, with just a couple of early sprinkles here and there, preceded by an errant bold of lightening and a clap of thunder. The sun came out at 10 am. Slight ocean breezes cooled the air, and blue skies with a few puffy clouds helped make a perfect day for chowder tasting and discovering Bodega Bay and all we have to offer. Of course, everyone asked, it is always this nice on the coast in the winter? And they got their answer – a magnificent day.  

People lined up prior to opening the Visitors Center at 9 am. Many stayed; made new friends while waiting in line for the first tickets; some went across the street to see “The Birds” memorabilia, have a cuppa coffee or some went up to the Bodega Head to try and catch sight of the Gray Whales in their annual migration north to Alaska. Coming into the Visitors Center, they could smell something??? There was a big crock-pot of chili that had simmered all night long for all the volunteers at the Visitors Center. 

Results – after reading over 4000 votes and comments, and tabulating for hours, we have a winner. This year it was closer than ever, but for the 6^th year in a row – Spud Point came in first, with the Tides a very close second, and Bluewater Bistro not far behind. The other four restaurants came within a few votes of each other. There was no looser on this day.  

Many kudos’ to AAA VIA Magazine for giving us a promo. And many many thanks to the participating restaurants – who do this event to aid the entire tourism industry here – with this year also being a fund-raiser for the 4^th of July fireworks. We’re pleased to report that we raised over $3,000 for the July 3^rd show. Some 605 maps were given out. Only a few chowder tasters  were disappointed that two of the restaurants ran low on chowder. 

When asked, many of the people who were first in line were Chowder Virgins – never having been here before. Most were surprised at the number of restaurants that are here, and how varied the soups were. 

Bosco the Hound Dawg came again for his 7^th trip and gave the event a 7 bones HURRAH! This year people came from as far as India, China (they wrote their comments in Chinese. Wonder what they really said?), Australia, Canada, New York, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Colorado, France, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and the surrounding areas – Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Petaluma and of course locals were here also. 

The range of comments this year were pretty much the same overall:

      Great creamy------------------------------Too thin

      Not enough clams ------------------------Too many clams

      Mushy--------------------------------------Sturdy

      Traditional---------------------------------Unusual

      Hurby (their spelling not mine)---------Not enough herbs

      Spicy----------------------------------------Bland

      Salomony-----------------------------------Bacony 

Clams seem to have taken on unique personalities in the judging:

      Nice Bite, spicy fun spin, kicky, innovative, earthy, shy, etc. 

Everyone commented that it was well worth the $5.00 donation to the 4^th of July fireworks to come out for the event and look forward to coming again next year, as well as returning for the fireworks, if not sooner. They were also pleased with the awards of coupons they received to the local businesses for having tasted the chowder.  

Overall, the entire event was a success, everyone enjoyed themselves. While parking is limited in Bodega Bay, we somehow made it work, by suggesting that groups of 25 start here and the next group there. One small child Kersten from Rohnert Park has come every year since they were 18 months old. 

Mark Your Calendars:

The Cabaret – 2010 A Beach Oddessy -  being held at the Grange Hall on Feb. 27, 2010. All proceeds going to the fireworks, the Bodega Bay Community Center and the Bodega Bay Elementary School Art. Tickets are $15 – 2 shows only at 6 and 8 – seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at Gourmet Au Bay, Candy & Kites and Business Services Limited here in Bodega Bay. Lots of fun there! 

In addition, we still have 2 more big events happening on April. April 17 & 18 The Fisherman’s Festival and then the Sonoma County Castles and Kite Festival at Doran Beach on April 24.

Once the days are longer and the winds pick up there’s always the Friday Twilight Kite flying at Doran Beach.  

Thanks again to all who participated. Ya’ll come back, ya hear?