A limited number of tickets are still available for the third annual Claw Down where local chefs compete with their best lobster bite for the title of 2014 Claw Down Chef of the Year.

This lobster lover's event, hosted by the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ocean Point Marina Boatyard in East Boothbay.

Guests will have a chance to sample all 18 chefs’ savory offerings, along with a selection of beers and wines from Cisco Brewers and Ninety Plus Cellars, and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award.

The title winner will be selected through a blind judging. This year, the chefs will also have their say as they cast their votes for the Chef’s Choice Award.

New this year, both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice winners 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.

At the 3rd Annual Claw Down, 450 pounds of shucked lobster will be handcrafted into prize-worthy lobster bites at the 3rd Annual Claw Down; and 18 local chefs will be sourcing 2350 lobsters from local lobster wharfs to satiate 450 lobster lover's appetites at this year's Claw Down.

Attendees from at least 14 states will be enjoying bites at the Claw Down including people from California, New Hampshire, Washington, Kentucky, New Jersey, South Carolina, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, Florida, North Carolina and, of course, Maine.

Greg Powers Agency and the talented team at the Boothbay Region Greenhouses 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.

Kerry Altiero, 2012 Lobster Chef of the Year, 2013 Best Farm-to-Table Chef and Executive Chef/owner of Café Miranda in Rockland, will host this year’s festivities. Judges will include: Cal Hancock, president, Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co.; Cathy Billings, author of “The Maine Lobster Industry: A History of Culture, Conservation & Commerce”; and Christopher Papagni, former executive vice president of the International Culinary Institute, New York City

Restaurants participating in the 2014 Claw Down include: Boothbay Lobster Wharf; Boothbay Harbor Country Club; Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club; Brown’s Wharf; Capers; Fisherman’s Wharf Inn; Mine Oyster - Sushi; McSeagull’s Restaurant; Newagen Seaside Inn; Robinson’s Wharf & Tugs Pub; The Boathouse Bistro & Tapas Bar; The Lobster Dock; The Rocktide Inn; The Thistle Inn; The Tugboat Inn; The World Is Mine Oyster; Wannawaf; and Water’s Edge Banquet Center.

Cocktail attire is suggested for the Claw Down event. Tickets are $60, non-refundable and include handcrafted lobster bites, wine and beer. Must be 21-plus with ID. To purchase tickets, call the chamber at 207-633-2353 or go online at http://web.boothbayharbor.com/events/Claw-Down-3rd-Annual-Chef%27s-Lobster-Bite-Competition-7674/details.

For more information, visit www.boothbayharbor.com or email seamaine@boothbayharbor.com.

Country Coach Charters will provide a complimentary shuttle from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to the Ocean Point Marina from 5 to 10 p.m.

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce would like to thank presenting sponsors Maine Magazine, The Brand Company, BDN Maine, Central Distributors, Boothbay Region Greenhouses, Ocean Point Marina and Marshall Tent and Event Rental along with Channel 7-BRCTV, Stone Cove Catering, Topside-The Inn on the Hill, NEMA Northeast Media Associates, Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, Ocean Point Inn, Ames True Value Supply, Tindal & Callahan Real Estate, Flagship Inn & Suites, Greg Powers Agency, Ted Axelrod Photography, Five Gables Inn, The Inns at Greenleaf Lane, Dead River Company, The Heller Agency, Sweet Bay, Harbor Embroidery, Friendliest Catch Lobster Tours, Martin Page, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Country Coach Charters, Lincoln Arts Festival, Coastal Shipping and Hammond Lumber Company.