A limited number of tickets are still available for the fourth annual Claw Down, a chef's lobster bite competition, where 19 Boothbay region chefs will compete with their best lobster “bite” for the title of 2015 Claw Down Chef of the Year.  

This lobster lover's event, hosted by the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Ocean Point Marina Boatyard in East Boothbay. 

If indulging in all-you-can-eat handcrafted lobster bites and the choicest wine and beer is not enough to satisfy your appetite, this year the event will feature a gourmet Coffee & Dessert Bar, sponsored by Seacoast Coffee and Starlight Custom Cakes. The talented team at the Boothbay Region Greenhouses along with the Greg Powers Agency will collectively transform the Ocean Point Marina from a working boatyard that houses large leisure boating vessels into a venue with nautical accented up-lighting and décor, music and an additional tent lounge.

In its fourth year, the chamber's signature culinary fundraiser draws lobster fans from all over the country. Claw Down's overall mission is to promote local lobster, showcase the tsunami of award-winning culinary talent in the region, and bring folks from all over the country to the area to eat, stay and play for the weekend, after the Claw Down. 

This year, 475 pounds of shucked local lobster will be handcrafted into prize-worthy lobster bites at the Claw Down. Guests will have the chance to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. 

The Judges' Choice winner will be selected through a panel of three industry-renowned judges: Ben Conniff, Vice President of Luke's Lobster, Shannon Bard, owner and Executive Chef at Zapoteca Restaurante y Tequileria, Portland, and Malcolm Bedell of 'Wich, Please, food-truck fame in Rockland, via blind-judging. Kerry Altiero, owner Café Miranda, Rockland, Downeast Magazine’s Chef of the Year, Co-host of NOSH—VStv, 2013 Harvest on the Harbor Best Farm-To-Table Chef and Lobster Chef of 2012, author of "Adventures in Comfort Food," will serve as master of ceremonies. This year, the chefs will also have their say as they cast their votes for the Chef’s Choice Award.

New this year, the Judge’s Choice winner will represent the region in the Lobster Chef of the Year competition in October, a signature event at Harvest on the Harbor, Maine’s premier food and wine festival.

Maine Lobster Chef of the Year and 3rd Annual Claw Down People's Choice winner, Chef Stephen Richards, has also been invited back to defend his title.

"Winning Claw Down last year gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to compete and win at the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition," Richards said. "Claw Down is a unique lobster event and gives us chefs a chance to get out of our kitchens, meet other chefs and lobster fans and show them how we can transform lobster into gourmet bites that will blow them away.”

Nineteen restaurants will compete at the fourth annual Claw Down:

• Boothbay Harbor Country Club - Chef Ed Yarmosh
• Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club - Chef Rob Tetrault
• Boothbay Lobster Wharf - Chef Todd Simmons
• Brown’s Wharf Inn - Chef Donovan Haye
• Boothbay Harbor Inn - Chef Luis Alvarez
• Cod’s Head Fish House & BBQ - Chef Brittney Meservier
• Fisherman’s Wharf Inn - Chef Keith Stafford
• Fleur De Sel Catering - Chef Margaret McLellan
• Ports of Italy - Chef Fabrizio Ventricini
• Oliver’s at Cozy Harbor Wharf - Chef John Reed
• Robinson's Wharf & Tugs Pub - Chef Eric Garringer
• Spruce Point Inn Resort & Spa - Chef Brooks Roberts
• Sheepscot Harbor Village & Resort - Chef Mark Antony
• The Rocktide Inn & Restaurant - Chef Dwayne Whitelocke
• The Thistle Inn - Chef Nicholas Krunkkala
• The Boathouse Bistro & Tapas Bar - Chef Karin Guerin
• Topside Inn - Chef Mark Osborn
• Little Village Bistro - Chef Tony Bickford
• Wannawaf - Chef Richard Reid

Cocktail attire is suggested for the Claw Down event. Tickets are $60, non-refundable and include handcrafted lobster bites, wine, beer, coffee bar and a sculpted/themed edible cake. Must be 21 or older with ID. Call the chamber at 207-633-2353 today. For more information, visit: www.boothbayharbor.com or email: seamaine@boothbayharbor.com. A complimentary shuttle from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to the Ocean Point Marina from 5 to 10 p.m. will be provided. Only chef, vendor and handicapped parking available at the boatyard. 

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce would like to thank presenting sponsors Maine Magazine,The Brand Company, BDN Maine, Boothbay Region Greenhouses, Central Distributors, Marshall Tent and Event Rental and Ocean Point Marina along with Boothbay Region Community Television, Northeast Media Associates, The First, N.A., Stone Cove Catering, The Inns at Greenleaf Inn, Ames True Value Supply, Café Miranda, Five Gables Inn, Flagship Inn & Suites, Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, Organic Valley, Seacoast Coffee, Starlight Custom Cakes, Ted Axelrod Photography,Tindal and Callahan Real Estate, Washburn & Doughty, Inc., Chef Stephen Richards, Baldwin Realty, Hodgdon Yacht Services, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Osman Page, Dan's Auto Repair Services, Boothbay Harbor Embroidery, Southport Silver, Ellis Commercial Development - Leasing and Management, Downeast Energy, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Country Coach Charters, Greg Powers Agency, Sweet Bay, Martin Page and the Lincoln Arts Festival.