DSC_6679In accepting his fourth straight Quahog Challenge trophy, Ron Winner (right) of The Shepley Stuffers took time to acknowledge the work HAC does to provide safe, affordable housing to those on Cape Cod and the Islands throughout the year. 

Since 2015, HAC volunteer Ron Winner has cooked up the perfect recipe that has garnered him the victory in the Amateur Division of the agency’s annual Cape Cod Quahog Challenge.

After Winner and his team, The Shepley Stuffers, took home the amateur title for the fourth year in a row in August, he acknowledged the underlying reason for the event – it raises funds to support HAC’s housing programs on Cape Cod and the Islands. “We just want to thank Housing Assistance Corporation for all the great work they do all year long,” Winner said in accepting the trophy. “They’re a fabulous organization that does so many great things for Cape Cod. I don’t know where we’d be without them.”

Sesuit Harbor Café of Dennis, a newcomer to the competition, took home top honors in the professional division. When co-host Matt Pitta of Cape Cod Broadcasting asked chef Peter Liimatainen the secret ingredient in his prize-winning stuffies, he replied, “TLC.”

DSC_6715Sesuit Harbor Cafe chef Peter Liimatainen proudly holds up his first place trophy from this summer’s Quahog Challenge. 

A total of eight competitors took part in this year’s challenge held at Trader Ed’s in Hyannis. The waterfront restaurant was joined by Fresh Ketch in Hyannis, which took home the second place trophy, and the Baha Brothers’ Sandbar Grill in Taunton, which came in third. Also competing were Cape Tip Seafood Market of Truro, Sea Dog Brew Pub of South Yarmouth, and Chad Lohr of Project Buddha Belly.

“It definitely has been a beautiful day,” co-host Cathy Summers of Cape Country 104 said at the conclusion of the event. “Hopefully, we have just raised a ton of money for a great organization that does great work locally on Cape Cod.”

Quahog-2-1Chefs Jeff Briggs (left) and Bobby Rand of Baha Brothers’ Sandbar Grill of Taunton which placed third in this summer’s stuffed quahog competition.