The Souperbowl II

One of my favorite foodie events is coming up with its’ 2nd annual iteration: The Souperbowl, hosted at the Banana Factory to benefit the B-Smart After-School Enrichment Program.  I was asked to return as a judge this year and how could I say no?  What’s better on a Saturday afternoon than stuffing your face so full of soup you want to explode?  Nothing, I say, nothing.  This actually sold out last year and from what I hear they’re on the way to doing so again this year.  If you expect to show up at the door without a ticket you won’t be getting in.  Here’s a list of the people confirmed so far for the event.  Note this isn’t everyone and I’ll be doing an update before the event of all of the confirmed competitors:

Black Forest Deli & Catering
Susan’s Gourmet Shop & Catering
Cactus Blue Mexican Restaurant
Cathy’s Creative Catering & Café LLC
Hanoverville Roadhouse
Hampton Winds–NCC 
Blue Sky Café
Loopers Grille & Bar
Granny McCarthy’s Tea Room
Green Harvest Food Emporium
The Fegley’s Brew Work’s–Allentown/Bethlehem/On the Green
Goosey Gander Caterer & Deli
Zoup! Easton

Some hopes for this year:  I hope Blue Sky does something other than their habanero butternut squash soup.  While it’s damn good, I’ve had it like 3 or 4 times now at different events.  I’m also hoping the chefs get crazy with it…really pull some new stuff out of the bag.  Last year Hampton Winds, the Northampton Community College student chefs, made a ridiculous roasted butternut squash soup with apple sage ravioli floating around inside with a topping of cardamon cream.  So inventive and delicious!  It earned the Best Vegetarian and People’s Choice awards.  In fact, below are the awards from last year.  All but one restaurant (Yianni’s Taverna) are returning to defend their championships:

Souper Bowl 2010 Champions who have confirmed that they are returning to defend their title:
Best Chowder:  Bethlehem Brew Works — Spicy Potato Jalapeno Cheddar
Best Vegetarian:  Hampton Winds — Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Sage Ravioli & Cardamom Cream
Most Original:  Cathy’s Creative Catering & Café — Puréed Pumpkin Soup
Best Meat-Based:  Blue Sky Café — Sausage & White Bean
Best Cream-Based:  Zoup! — Lobster Bisque
Best Ethnic:  Yianni’s Taverna — Magiritsa

People’s Choice:  Hampton Winds — Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Sage Ravioli & Cardamom Cream

Stay tuned for the update of all competitors and for the wrap-up after the event!

For more info (and a great video) head over to the Artsquest Souperbowl page at http://www.artsquest.org/soup/