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ine chowders to taste. Several new chefs. And about 240 hungry mouths to feed.

A cup of chowder from Zan’s Taekwondo & Station 19 Volunteer Fire Department.

The 2024 Oriental Woman’s Club Chowder Cookoff was the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.

Lee Duer, dressed for St. Patrick’s Day, gets ready for her next tasting.

Organizer Julie Wiegand said there were several new cooks in this year’s competition, including the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office and the Culinary Classes from Pamlico County High School and Pamlico Christian Academy.

The student chefs of Pamlico County High School: Dania Galvan-Veliz and Chase Bennett.

While New England Chowder was well represented, people could also get a taste of Cajun chowders, seafood, corn, and venison versions.

There were three categories, and a prize for best decorated table.

The Winners of the 2024 OWC Chowder CookOff were:

The Restaurants:
• 1st Gary’s DownEast Seafood
• 2nd Barcos
• 3rd Yawl’s Café

The Home Chefs:
• 1st  Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office
• 2nd Zan’s Taekwondo & the South Pamlico Volunteer Fire Department
• 3rd Marine Corps Dragon Detachment

Aspiring Student Chefs:
• 1st Pamlico Christian Academy Mariner’s Culinary Team
• 2nd Pamlico High School Canes Cuisines

Distinctive trophies for first, second, and third – in three different categories.

The event raised around $2,600 for OWC scholarships, given in part as mini-grants to the County’s teachers.

The Oriental Woman’s Club has been helping the community since 1916. Currently, they provide gratns, help deliver Meals on Wheels, collect school supplies, and host blood drives.

The next Chowder CookOff is in March 2025.

Chowders – the difference is in the taste. Clockwise from the top: Yawl’s Cafe, Barcos, and the Pamlico Sheriff’s Department.

Ellen Blackmon holding the prize for best looking table. It went to Yawl’s Cafe for their pirate themed table.

John Conklin getting that last bit of chowder.

Missed it by that much.

The cooks of the Pamlico Sheriff’s office check off tasting cards.

Drop off your ballots, and find out that “Irishmen Are the Greatest Lovers.”

Attacking the chowder from two different directions.

The ladies of the Marines Oriental Dragon Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

The students of Pamlico Christian Academy’s Culinary class debuted their venison chowder (with a hint of honey).

Michelle Rodriguez providing live music for the event.

Posted Monday March 18, 2024 by Allison DeWeese