SANTA CRUZ >> After two days of intense competition, the city of Santa Cruz announced the winners for the 44th annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off, which took place over the weekend.

The annual clam chowder competition gives amateur and professional chefs from across the Monterey and San Francisco bay areas to compete for the best Boston and Manhattan chowder, alongside awards for “People’s Choice,” “Most Tasted” and “Best Booth Theme.”

According to a statement from the city, “The 44th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off was a resounding success, drawing thousands to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for two days of delicious competition. With sunny skies and temperatures reaching 70 degrees, attendees enjoyed a perfect weekend filled with friendly rivalry, flavorful chowder and community spirit.”

Event organizer Annalise Bryant told the Sentinel that, tentatively, the event raised more than $140,000 in much-needed funds for the Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, exceeding last year’s total of over $130,000, though the final amount is still being confirmed.

In Saturday’s amateur competition, in the category for “Best Boston Clam Chowder,” longtime competitor “The Silence of the Clams” took home first place with “Millie’s Best Boston” taking second place and “All Clams Matter” winning third place.

For the “Best Manhattan Clam Chowder” showdown, “Little Neck Rex” won first place, “Dragon Mama’s Portuguese Red” won second place and “Clam Halen” took home the third place prize.In the category of “People’s Choice” winners, “4 Men and a Clam” won the award in the Boston category and “The Pink Flamingos” were the people’s favorite amateur makers in the Manhattan race.

The “Most Tasted” in the amateur competition were “Silence of the Clams” in first, “4 Men and a Clam” in second place and “Bloody Brilliant Chowder” were the third place winners.

The “Best Booth Theme” award went to “The Silence of the Clams,” with the “Rocky Horror Clam Show” in second place and “The Krusty Klam” team in third.

In Sunday’s professional competition, the award for “Best Boston Clam Chowder” was awarded to The Rustic Table, while second place was given to The Point Kitchen and Bar and third place to the chefs at Ideal Bar and Grill.

In the race for the “Best Manhattan Clam Chowder” the Seascape Golf Club took home the title, “Redwood Sluggers” won second and “Bearded Clams Unite” won third.

The “People’s Choice” winners in the professional category were Ideal Bar and Grill for their Boston chowder and “Redwood Sluggers” for their Manhattan style.

In the category of “Most Tasted,” the Ideal Bar and Grill won the top spot, with the chefs from Dominican Oaks taking second and the Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge winning third place.

The winners of “Best Booth Theme” were Seascape Golf Club in first, the Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge in second and the “Chowder Slugs” and “Redwood Sluggers” tied for third place.