LANCE WEBER’s chowder is choice.

Weber, the manager of Doogers Seafood and Grill in Seaside, won the first-place People’s Choice award at the 2006 Oregon Coast Professional Chowder Cook-off in Florence Sept. 23. He and his wife CRAVALYNN WEBER served about 700 cups of chowder.

The event was hosted by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. There were eight restaurants involved.

Doogers did not place in the part of the event judged by professionals. “I personally feel it’s more important to win the People’s Choice award,” said Weber, who was told Doogers won “by a landslide.” It is the second year in a row that Doogers has won the award.