I’m hoping for beautiful weather this week for Windjammer Days. I’ve been blessed to write about the Crab Cake Cook-Off held Monday, June 24 with Taka, Brady’s (both new restaurants in the Harbor), Carriage House, Newagen Seaside Inn and Boothbay Harbor Country Club competing.

Traveling Tuna will be on the road again for next week. I am having a blast with that!

Summertime is amazing with all of the fine food being served in our great restaurants on our peninsula.

Steve Edwards and I collaborated on this story as he took some pretty awesome pictures. I was so fortunate to be able to hang out at Oceanside on a beautiful afternoon. I’m proud to say all of the money from this fundraiser that Paul Coulombe hosted at his establishment, Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Resort, goes back to our community; $20 of the ticket goes back to our Windjammer committee and the other $10 goes to the winners. A big thank you to Paul and his staff for a wonderful event. Thank you all. A special thank you to Robin, our very attentive bartender.

First I want to thank the judges, Patricia Inness Royall, Erin Ovalle, Pamela Laskey and last year’s local winner, Dick Reid from The Thistle Inn. Also thanks to the 40 people who attended this awesome event. Also a huge thank you for all the chefs who attended: Chef Kelly Patrick Farrin, owner of the Carriage House; Rushaune Thompson from Taka Mediterranean Bar and Grill; Julian Gonzalez from Boothbay Harbor Country Club; and Shan McBay and Bobby Boyd representin, Brady’s, New England Best Restaurant this month in Down East Magazine.

The people’s taste award went to Kelly Farrin. His crab cake was a baked stuffed crab cake with corn relish, and a smoky Romesco sauce. The judge’s award went to Aaron Nurse, representing Newagen Seaside Inn. His entry was a Peekeytoe crab cake, sweet corn, harissa emulsion, scallion relish, and a lime caviar.

Bravo to all who competed.

Please be safe this week and enjoy your Windjammer Days parade, fireworks and all the tall ships.

Be kind to your servers, bartenders, waitstaff and all of our local merchants. Be patient; please remember you’re on vacation so relax and enjoy our beautiful peninsula.