FLORENCE – Smiling all the way home from the 10th annual Chowder Blues and Brews 2005 Oregon Coast Professional Chowder Cook-off, which took place Sept. 24, Lance Weber, manager of Doogers Seafood and Grill in Seaside, had no reason to sing the blues. With more than 650 attendees tasting the best chowders 13 restaurants along the coast had to offer, Doogers Seafood and Grill in Seaside walked away with the first place People’s Choice award.

“It was quite an event featuring lots of food, beer and wine vendors, along with some really great blues music,” said Weber. The event was hosted by the Florence Chamber of Commerce. There were 13 restaurants involved from Seaside south to Brookings.

There were two competitions. One was judged by professional chefs and a food critic. The winner was the Firehouse Restaurant from Florence. After that judging, the convention was opened to the public for the People’s Choice competition.

“My wife, Cravalynn, and I really enjoyed the chowder cook-off,” Weber said. There were some very excellent restaurants down there with some very good chowders.”