June 1, 2023 Cape Charles, VA – The Cape Charles Rotary Club is renowned for its 100% crab meat, no filler, crab cakes. Since the 1980’s, the service organization has sold crab cakes to support its mission – “Service above Self”. In the beginning, crab cake sandwiches were prepared in a donated pop-up tent trailer that was converted into a sales stand.
Rotarians Grant Robbins and Cliff Thibodeaux, now decreased, lead the trailer conversion effort. However, no one goes to market without a killer recipe. Another Rotarian, Paul Watson, Chip and Bill’s father, owned a Cheriton restaurant called “Paul’s”. The original crab cake receipe is attributed to Paul, but Sherman Stairs, often the lead cook, recalls the original recipe was contributed by Mary Barns of Cape Charles.
Regardless, the fundraising tradition was launched, and the community became accustomed to the Rotary selling crab cake sandwiches, with all the condiments, at holiday celebrations and other community events. While the experience was rewarding, it was hard work and sales were modest.
Furthermore, the health department frowned upon the cooking arrangement and the “crank-up” camper had become a maintenance issue. Driven by necessity, around the turn of the century, the Club realized would be more successful if it sold uncooked crab cakes to its friends and neighbors. As anticipated, production and sales greatly increased.
The “cook them yourself” model was a fundraising success. Enter former Rotarian, Ann Sayers, who oversaw crab cake production during, and many years after. her active Rotary service. She “tweaked” the original recipe; however, fillers have never been used. In 2015, the product was further enhanced when Panko crumbs replaced the traditional recipe’s cracker meal coating.
Just in time for 4th of July, production cranks up again the morning of June 30th. A tray of six crab cakes is offered for $55. Orders are encouraged by June 23rd. The Rotary prepares its crab cakes at the Cheriton Volunteer Fire Company, 21334 South Bayside Road, in Cheriton, when they are available for pickup at 1:00 PM, on June 30th.
Many long-time Rotary supporters purchase multiple trays and freeze them for consumption into the fall. For more information or to place an order, please contact any Cape Charles Rotarian, go to www.capecharlesrotary.org or call Bill Payne at 757.390.7253 (payne1942@msn.com).
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The crab cake were very good. When I was working in Northern Virginia I used to travel 5 hours to pick up my trays of crab cakes. It was great, just to have a little taste of the eastern shore.