I'm a bit astonished that several people are disappointed that the
Admiral Heights Improvement Association is hosting a crab soup cook-off on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
For the record, a group of good-hearted people saw a need for the cookoff after the Maryland Seafood Festival held annually at Sandy Point State Park was cancelled. It happened because the economy ain't so good, so to speak.
The
Annapolis and Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce is unhappy that the association didn't tell the chamber what was underway. It's not too late to lend a hand, folks, if you really want to be involved.
The Capital hosted the contest for a number of years, but because of cutting costs (and lots of other things, it seems), the newspaper isn't hosting the cook-off this year, and Publisher Tom Marquardt understandable isn't agreeing to be a judge because he thought it might be confusing. The newspaper is hopeful it will return next year with this special event at Sandy Point, according to an article in the
Arundel Sun on July 27.
While any profits from the cook-off won't be going to the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation this year, they will be going to the
Weems Creek Conservancy (which affects the Admiral Heights neighborhood), and the
Light House homeless shelter. The goal is to raise $10,000 this year after all the bills are paid.
Entrance fee to judge at the contest is $10 - you can judge about 30 different crab soup recipes (oh, heavens!).
Buddy's Crabs and Ribs is participating - it's won six times in recent festivals. Maybe it will go home with another trophy!