Claw Down 2024: What a night June 13 was! Delicious lobster bites prepared by incredibly talented chefs at Bristol Marine, the perfect location for any event: water and ship views outside, and inside ... ooh-lalaa!  Music by the Stillwater Serenaders, beer and wine, fabulous nautical decor ...Well, it is a working boat shed.

This competition shines a spotlight on Maine’s most popular crustacean, the lobster. Chefs must create a new bite-sized recipe with flavor that really pops while keeping the lobster the center of attention. Not as easy as it sounds; 12 competitors vying for the titles Judge’s First Place or People’s Choice categories. And keep in mind the First Place Judge’s winner goes on to the Harvest on the Harbor Competition Oct. 23-26 at O’Maine Studios in Portland!

This year’s judges, Stephen Richards, Corey Pottle and Tony Cameron, had their work cut out for them. And here are their choices for Boothbay Harbor’s 11th Claw Down:

Winning both the  Judge’s First Place and Chef’s Choice was Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern & RV Resort! The Mitchells – Lori, Winn, Cody, and the whole gang – were on site tempting attendees and scoring top honors, as a family, for their delightfully delicious and decadent bite:  a V-notched soft pretzel with garlic and lemon butter, stuffed w/lobster sauteed in supreme cream sauce, finished with sea salt, dill sprig, chive blossom, lemon zest and roe. From their website, “All of us here at BCB are extremely honored to have been chosen as the Judges Choice and Chefs Choice for the 2024 Claw Down! To be amongst some of the finest culinary creators was an honor in and of itself.”

In October, Lori and the family will be heading to Portland to compete in Harvest on the Harbor, Oct. 23-26, where the title Lobster Chef of the Year will be awarded!

The judges awarded the Second Place Judges Award to Topside Inn. Owners Mark Osborne and Buzz Makarewicz entered the Gin & Tonic: lobster w/juniper berry, cured salmon gravalax, tonic gel, diced cucumber, dill, rye crisps. Third Place Judge’s Award winner: Harborside 101. Chef Hakan Anklar’s Truffle-kissed Lobster Nori Cone.

The People’s Choice Award winners: First place: Mine Oyster, Chef Ralph Smith for his Hot Honey Butter Poached Lobster bite: Spicy, sweet, salty, crispy and sour: the hot honey lobster tostada. Saffron lobster cream corn, brandy and butter poached lobster meat, cilantro-chive oil, kiwi, crispy prosciutto, hot honey, mango pearls, queso fresco. Second place, a tie! The Whale's Tale & Seafarer's Pub – Chef Brandi Willis’ Vadouvan Lobster Bite  and Topside Inn - Chefs Mark Osborn & Buzz Makarewicz. Third place: Marcel’s Submarine Shop - Michael Morrissette.

Everyone fortunate enough to attend this much-anticipated event loves lobster and the Claw Down is an opportunity for even the purest of lobster lovers to find their taste buds tantalized by the bites offered. And they all take the voting very seriously. For example, Victoria Roach of Southport and southern California attended with friend Lisa Stover of Southport and Chicago. Roach was voting for Mine Oyster’s entry because “it was sweet and savory at the same time, easy to eat and there was lots of lobster.” Stover, at the time, remained undecided. Three friends from Massachusetts, gathered at one of the tables near the indoor bar, had already made up their minds. Martha Scott of Lexington was Marcel’s all the way; Bostonians Kate Trainor and Karen Kohler of Boston were voting Boat House Bistro and Whale’s Tale, respectively. For all three, the preparation and additional spices were the deciding factors.

Emcee Andrew Morley, former lobsterman and co-organizer of the former Fishermen’s Festival. is no stranger to lobster-related events, so it wasn’t surprising to see him cajoling people to cast their votes. He began from the staging area near the door and then as 7:15, then 7:30 approached, began walking down through “Claw Down Lane” telling the undecideds who had to have one more bite that voting time was nigh ... something that always goes down best with humor.

Many attendees stopped by Maine Lobstermen’s Association and purchased new T’s, sweatshirts and/or ball caps to help support the cause. Of particular note, the ongoing issues involving whale rules and offshore wind farms..

Before the announcement of award winners, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce board member Julie Roberts presented a check for $1,000 to Corey Pottle, accepting on behalf of the Fishermen’s Memorial Committee. In a post-event interview, Roberts said the Chamber has donated to the Memorial annually for the last three years. Since COVID, BBHCC has taken over producing Claw Down and Fishin’ For Fashion. In addition to the Fishermen’s Memorial, it donates annually to Project Graduation and New England Boat Preservation.

Event sponsors for this year’s event were Carousel Marina, First National Bank, The Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor/Bristol Marine, Bangor Savings Bank and Tindal & Callahan Real Estate.

Until next June’s competition, keep enjoying lobster and supporting our local fishermen and the state of Maine.