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t may have been the “drop of sweat” that did it. That was the 25th, and last, ingredient in the Florence-Whortonsville Volunteer Fire Department chowder, which took top honors at the Oriental Woman’s Club first annual Chowder Cook-Off Saturday. Station 25’s chowder won the prize for best chowder by a fire department and best chowder overall.

Jean Martin, Richard McAdoo, Dave Brown and Stephanie Perrin were part of the winning team from the Florence-Whortonsville VFD. Station 25 made a chowder with 25 components, the final one being “one drop of sweat.”

The Woman’s Club fundraiser drew more than 200 people who sampled the 13 chowders made by local restaurants, residents, businesses and volunteer fire departments. The competitors included: Brantley’s, Croakertown, Dave Murrell, Florence-Whortonsville VFD, Gary’s Downeast Seafood, John Bond, M & Ms Cafe, Oriental Steamer, Paradise Cove Marina, Scoots, Southeast Pamlico VFD and First Responders, Sunset Grill, and the Toucan Grill and Fresh Bar.

The turnout far exceeded expectations and Anne Parker of the OWC says that the $2,000 raised was “almost double what we had hoped.” The money will be given to 11 charities and non-profits in the area.

Tom McIlhenney of Oriental Marina said he looked forward to making the Chowder Cook-Off an annual event.

The Cook-Off scene on the grounds of the Oriental Marina.

Brantley’s Restaurant and its clam chowder were represented.

Paul Del Rio of Paradise Shores Marina. The sword wasn’t deployed; instead Paul used a paring knife to chop the cilantro and bacon topping for the potato and scallop chowder.

The crew from Croakertown/Oriental Wine and Cheese Shop served up a cajun flavored chowder.

Some found a sideline seat to the festivities.

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HarborSounds provided entertainment.

Woody Fuller: The wearing of the green, the playing of the bluegrass harmonica.

Florence-Whortonsville Fire Department opted for red.

The winning recipe. The Florence-Whortonsville VFD, Station 25 recipe had 25 ingredients. Drop of sweat was the final one.

The Oriental Woman’s Club says its overhead for the event was low because of the chef contributions and “lots of other help,” according to the OWC’s Anne Parker. “Harbor Sounds donated their great music, Tom McIllheney contributed the venue, Mick and Claire Roberts crafted brass prize signs, First Citizens Bank helped with advertising, and Errands Plus helped with posters.”

Also lending many hands were OWC members and their spouses, who did the planning, setup, logistics, and cleanup. Among them: Ellie Finta, Marlene and Bob Miller, Jan and Jim Nixon, Diane and Michael Paling, Bob and Linda Parker, Jerome Parker, Lee Duer, Lynn Kaplan, Theda Butkus, Judy Smith, Gay Webster, Elizabeth MacDonald, Colleen Barton and Marge Juerling.

The Southeast Pamlico Volunteer Fire Depeartment, Station 19, based in Oriental, took third place.

Scoot’s Restaurant’s Eric Stickrath was voted second best chowder. Elizabeth MacDonald gave him his fish prize..

The winners: Station 25 Florence-Whortonsville Volunteer Fire Department took top honors and best chowder by a fire department.

Posted Sunday March 16, 2008 by Melinda Penkava