Windjammer Days hosts 7th annual Crab Cook Off
Judge's Choice for the 7th annual Crab Cook Off goes to the team from Bluebird Ocean Point Inn. Pictured, Emma Cyr, Mike Whitney and event committee member Michele Barter. ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Sharon Rose shows off her Windjammer Days swag bag. ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Ralph Smith snags People's Choice with his crab cake bites. ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Crafted with his personal tastes in mind, Mike Whitney's crab cake impresses the judges. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
The celebrity panel of judges included (left to right) Kelly Farrin, Bet Finacharro and Sharon Rose. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
Ralph Smith's team decided on an appetizer presentation for this year's entry. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
Smuggler Cove's Ethan Crosby goes for a "Louisiana Trinity" crab cake with charred scallion remoulade. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Judge's Choice for the 7th annual Crab Cook Off goes to the team from Bluebird Ocean Point Inn. Pictured, Emma Cyr, Mike Whitney and event committee member Michele Barter. ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Sharon Rose shows off her Windjammer Days swag bag. ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Ralph Smith snags People's Choice with his crab cake bites. ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
Crafted with his personal tastes in mind, Mike Whitney's crab cake impresses the judges. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
The celebrity panel of judges included (left to right) Kelly Farrin, Bet Finacharro and Sharon Rose. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
Ralph Smith's team decided on an appetizer presentation for this year's entry. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
Smuggler Cove's Ethan Crosby goes for a "Louisiana Trinity" crab cake with charred scallion remoulade. Courtesy of Stephanie Branch
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay Register
ISABELLE CURTIS/Boothbay RegisterOne of the first events of Windjammer Days week was at Boothbay Harbor Inn June 23, the 7th annual Crab Cook-off. The 50-seat event was sold out as local chefs faced off in the kitchen, including last year’s champ Ralph Smith from Mine Oyster, Mike Whitney of Bluebird Ocean Point Inn and Ethan Crosby of Smuggler’s Cove.
Judges included News Center Maine’s Sharon Rose, Bet Finocchiarro, owner of Bet's Fish Fry, and Kelly Farrin, owner of Carriage House Restaurant. The winner of Judge’s Choice was Mike Whitney’s team for his Cajun-inspired blackened Maine crab cake with mission fig aioli, sweet pea puree, guacamole and fresh pea shoots salad.
People’s Choice went to Ralph Smith’s team who wanted to do something different from last year’s winning dish and opted for a three-bite appetizer-style plate, said Smith. The bites were tempura-battered, deep-fried, and served with toasted seaweed, mango sauce, mint, and soy pearls.
The event committee offered special thanks to sponsors Boothbay Harbor Inn, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce and Coastal Maine Popcorn.
