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It’s one of few reasons to come out of winter hibernation.
For the last six years, Manor Grove, a Kirkwood-based, long-term health care facility, has hosted "Soup’s On!", a soup competition where several dozen local restaurants, caterers--and often a culinary school or two--vie for Gold, Silver, and Bronze ladles, awarded in two divisions—the Judge’s Choice and the People’s Choice.
It’s only fitting that this year’s event is being held today, the last day of the 2014 Olympics.
While there are dozens of chili cook-offs, bake-offs, and barbeque competitions held every year in the metro area, this is the only one (that we know of, anyway) that involves soup. To add another dimension, a sweets component--"Just Desserts"--was added in 2012. This year, there will be approximately 30 soups and half a dozen desserts to sample.
The winners from last year are as follows:
Judge's Awards: Gold Ladle: Smoked Gouda & Wild Mushroom Soup from Cielo at the Four Seasons
Silver Ladle: BBQ Brisket Soup from South Tech Culinary Arts
Bronze Ladle: Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe
People's Choice Awards: Gold Ladle: Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe
Silver Ladle: BBQ Brisket Soup from South Tech Culinary Arts
Bronze Ladle: Asian Sriracha Chicken Noodle Soup from LaCHEF Catering
Will last year's competitors return this year to defend their ladles? Will they bring the same soup or try out something new? Will they hedge their bets and bring more than one soup? (It’s allowed.) Will they play it safe (bisques and chowders always seem to fare well) or try something unusual, like last year’s Smoked Gouda and Wild Mushroom Soup from Cielo?
You won’t know unless you show.
The "Soup's On!" event is today, February 23, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m, at the Meramec Community College Gym, 11333 Big Bend (at Geyer). Tickets are $10 ($5 for kids 12 & under). There’s even complimentary valet parking--considering it's prime "soup weather," that's a nice touch.
For more information, see below.
UPDATED: 3: 00 PM, February 23. And now for this year's winners...
SOUPS:
Judge's Awards: Gold Ladle: Creamy Reuben Soup from Monty's Sandwich Company
Silver Ladle: Chicken Corn Chowder from Fandango's Sports Bar & Grill
Bronze Ladle: Roasted Cauliflower with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto from Billy G's
People's Choice Awards: Gold Ladle: Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe
Silver Ladle: Creamy Reuben Soup from Monty's Sandwich Company
Bronze Ladle: Chicken Corn Chowder from Fandango's Sports Bar & Grill
DESSERTS:
Judge's Golden Whisk Award : Creole Bread Pudding from Schnucks
People's Golden Whisk Award: Apple Pecan Bread Pudding from Bravo! Cucina Italiana
Of note:
1. When Monty's debuted their Creamy Reuben Soup two years ago, it took a first and second place finish, exactly the same result as this year. (Read the story about the genesis of that soup here.) Monty's did not enter the soup in last year's competition.
2. Fandango's seems to have the touch when it comes to chowder--this is the third year one of its chowders has "ladled."
3. The undisputed Soup's On! champion soup, however, is the Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe, winner of four double awards. This soup has won either a single or double award every year it's been entered.
