19 Jul Crab Cake Cook-off crown claimed

The winner of the Friends of the N.C. Maritime Museum 2018 Crab Cake Cook-off has defended her proverbial crown.

Chef Dawn Freeman was the People’s Choice for top crab cake at the 2019 contest. Freeman, who won the 2018 cook-off, tied with Chef Heather Hill from Finz Grill as the judges’ top pick.

Chef Dawn Freeman was the People’s Choice for top crab cake at the 2019 contest. Freeman, who won the 2018 cook-off, tied with Chef Heather Hill from Finz Grill as the judges’ top pick.

The fundraiser also included a cole slaw contest, which saw the team of Walt Wood and Dave DuBuisson, the current and former Friends president, sweep both titles: People’s Choice and Judges’ Favorite.

The sell-out event was held at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center. The other crab cake competitors included Sally Stoehr and the team of Nancy and Barbara Francis-Heckman. Dawn Freeman and Ann and Chloe Register; John and Polly Hagle; and Beth Beswick and Sonda Warrington rounded out the cole slaw competition.

Budding chefs are invited to compete in January in the Clam Chowder Cook-off (which also includes a corn bread competition) or next July in the 2020 Crab Cake Cook-off. For information on either event, call 252-728-1638.

Chef Heather Hill of Finz Grill tied with Chef Dawn Freeman for Judges’ Choice crab cakes.