Restaurants are lining up to participate in this year’s Crab Cook-Off at the Taste of Cambridge, held for the 13th year in Downtown Cambridge.
Organizers welcome back a number of past participants including Water’s Edge Grill, Blue Point Provision Co., Palm Beach Willies, Ocean Odyssey, The Cambridge Yacht Club, Black Water Bakery, RAR Brewing, Jimmie and Sook’s, and The High Spot. Lil’ Bitta Bull, and Theodore’ Subs and Small Plates are new to the competition in 2018.
Ticket holders get the chance taste, decide, and vote on over 12 crab dishes in 5 categories, including Crab Cake/Ball, Crab Soup, Crab Dip, Crab Specialty, and overall winner. Then all the votes are tallied up and a “People’s Choice” winner is announced for each category.
The restaurants are also vying for the attention of a panel of judges. This year’s judges include Bruce Mattel instructor at Culinary Institute of America, Kate Moose food editor for What’s Up Magazine, and Cambridge Spice Company owner Cecil Johnson. All three are veteran judges for the event and bring very different perspectives. New to the judge’s panel are Katie Livie, freelance food writer with regional herbavore publication Edible Delmarva.
Entertainment for the event includes a number of local performers including Dorchester County native Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddys, who will hit the stage between 8pm – 10pm. “We had a great dance party last year, with Arty Hill making everyone swing to the beat at the intersection of Race and Poplar Streets”, shared Taste of Cambridge event chair and Downtown Cambridge Board President Grace Gonzalez.
Performances by community favorites ABM Dance troop and the Dorchester YMCA line dance group also make their return, as well as Cambridge local one man show John Enders. “Before Your Time” with frontman Shelby Clendaniel also make their return to Poplar Street to perform.
Tickets are now available. Tickets can be purchased for $30 July 1st through July 10th, and are available for $35 on the day of the event until sold out. Tickets can be purchased at downtowncambridge.org, in person at Downtown Cambridge office, 437 Race Street, or call 443-477-0843. Tickets are also available at the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, 528 Poplar Street.
Downtown Cambridge is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown Main Street district in Cambridge. It is fueled by the power of amazing volunteers and entrepreneurs.
