Crowds piled in for the 13th annual Taste of Cambridge and Crab Cook-Off on Saturday, July 14th. The event is an annual festival in Downtown Cambridge that helps support the Downtown Cambridge Main Street organization and helps to celebrate Cambridge’s crabbing and seafood heritage. The event has also helped encourage the districts growing culinary scene.
The crab cook-off competition is a major draw each year, bringing hundreds to downtown Cambridge to taste dozens of crab dishes from local restaurants. 800 tasters lined up to taste and vote for their favorite in four categories, plus their favorite dish overall. Competitors included Palm Beach Willies, Theodore’s Subs & Small Plates, Ocean Odyssey, Lil Bitta Bull, The High Spot, RAR Brewing, Jimmie and Sook’s, The Cambridge Yacht Club, Water’s Edge Grill, Blue Point Provision, and Black Water Bakery.
A panel of judges also complete a blind tasting of each dish and weigh in on their favorite in each category. This year’s Judge’s Panel included Bruce Mattel, Kate Livie, Kate Barney, Rita Calvert, and Cecil Johnson. This year’s Judge’s Choice winners included:
Crab Soup- Black Water Bakery
Crab Dip- Jimmie & Sook’s
Crab Cake/Ball- RAR Brewing
Crab Specialty- Water’s Edge Grill at the Hyatt
Overall- Jimmie & Sook’s for their Crab Dip entry
Congratulations to all the winners of the Judge’s Choice.
Tasters also weighed in on their individual favorite dishes in each category, which was more competitive than ever this year. The volunteer committee counted up all 800 of the ballots and announce People’s Choice winners:
Crab Soup – Cambridge Yacht Club
Crab Cake/Ball – RAR Brewing
Crab Dip – Jimmie & Sook’s
Specialty – Water’s Edge Grill @ Hyatt
Best Overall Dish – Water’s Edge Grill @ Hyatt
Congratulations to ALL the winners!
Governor Larry Hogan also visited the event and presented Downtown Cambridge a certificate of recognition for the 13th year of the festival.
