Crowds of happy and hungry people descended upon the first annual Captain Joseph House Benefit Chowder Cook-Off on Oct. 12, when Sequim’s The Oasis Bar & Grill swept honors with the Grand Champion Award judged by celebrity chef and author Graham Kerr.

The Oasis also took top honors with the People’s Choice Award.

Oasis owners Dale and Janice Dunning said they were thrilled with the victory.

“Our customers are always telling us that we have the best chowder they have ever tasted and this just confirms it,” Janice Dunning said. “And to have a legend like Graham Kerr judge and pick our chowder is just amazing. The real credit goes to our head chef Brandon Mayo. He is an outstanding talent.”

The Captain Joseph House was founded by Betsy Reed Schultz in honor of her son, Capt. Joseph William Schultz, and its purpose is to provide a respite to heal and rebuild military families who have lost a loved one and made the ultimate sacrifice. Regarding the event, Schultz said, “I am very thankful that Graham Kerr appeared. We wanted to create a fun and ongoing fundraising event that can be a permanent part of the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival.”

“We are really looking forward to next year and know that we now have targets on our back,” Dale Dunning said. “We will have to step it up a notch next year.”

The award winning chowder is available every Friday at The Oasis Bar & Grill in Sequim.