SOLEDAD — CRU Winery is building upon the success of its annual Chowder Cook-Off and expanding its hunt for the best chowder recipe nationwide.
Now through July 14, U.S. residents can submit their recipe for a chance to win.
The CRU Winery Chowder Cook-Off is a tribute to the winery’s Central Coast wines and tasting room located in Monterey’s Santa Lucia Highlands. Recipes will be judged on creativity, overall quality and how well the recipes pair with the variety of CRU Winery’s single vineyard chardonnays.
From the recipes submitted, the winery will select two finalists who will receive a two-night stay in Monterey. During their trip, the finalists will participate in the Chowder Cook-Off at CRU Winery’s Santa Lucia Highlands tasting room in Soledad. At the event, they will prepare their recipe for a panel of judges who will crown the Chowder Cook-Off Champion.
CRU Winery handpicked the panel of judges for the 2026 Chowder Cook-Off to bring in local experts on wine, food and Monterey County. Returning to the judges’ panel this year is Monterey wine blogger Christy Nakada of @christyonthevine. She will be joined by Editor and Publisher of Edible Monterey Bay Deborah Luhrman, District 3 Supervisor Chris Lopez and KRML’s Jasmine Jones.
“We are delighted to bring back the CRU Winery Chowder Cook-Off for its third year and expand the contest nationwide,” said CRU Winery Senior Marketing and Communications Director Rebecca Gilbert. “Inviting recipes from across the country allows us to discover a variety of new chowder styles while celebrating CRU Winery and Monterey’s coastal lifestyle beyond California. We can’t wait to try the final recipes and celebrate at the Chowder Cook-Off in August.”
Residents can enter the CRU Winery Chowder Cook-Off at CRUwinery.com/contest. The Chowder Cook-Off event is Saturday, Aug. 22, at CRU Winery’s Santa Lucia Highlands tasting room in Soledad and is open to the public.
Attendees will get to watch the cook-off and have a chance to try the final chowder recipes paired with CRU Winery’s award-winning wines. Tickets can be purchased at CRUwinery.com.
