If it's February in St Louis, it's time for “Soup’s On and Just Desserts." Averaging over 1000 slurpers per year, it's the area's most well attended soup competition.
The 11th Annual event will be held this Sunday, February 25, at St. Louis Community College—Meramec (11333 Big Bend) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The yearly event is a fundraiser for Manor Grove, a long-term nursing care, rehab, and recovery facility.
This year, 20 eateries (and one grocery store) will compete for the coveted Gold, Silver, and Bronze Ladle, in two divisions, People's Choice and Judge's Choice, as well as the Golden Whisk award for best dessert.
There are seven new restaurants participating this year and eight dessert entries (a record number). Attendees can expect to sample 18 hot soups—broths, to bisques, to chowders.
Last year, Cooper's Hawk was new to the competition and took top honors in both Judge's and People's categories for its Lobster Bisque, a first for a newbie. (Will they enter the bisque again this year or bring something different?)
This year, Canyon Cafe will again serve its Poblano Chicken Chowder, a soup that's won a ladle every time it's been entered, a total of 13 in 8 years.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, at the door on the day of the event. Discounted tickets ($8 / $4) are available here. Complimentary valet parking is provided.
A panel of local celebrities judge the competition every year. Local weatherman/funnyman Matt Chambers will emcee the event again this year.
The participating competitors and the judges are listed below, as are the winners from last year.
Competitors (restaurants new this year in boldface):
- Amighetti's
- Amigos Cantina
- Billy G’s
- BRAVO! Cucina Italianao
- Cafe Ventana
- Canyon Café
- Cielo Restaurant and Bar
- Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
- Gobblestop Smokehouse
- The Greek Kitchen
- Jason’s Deli
- Llywelyn's Pub
- Nami Ramen
- Nordstrom Café Bistro
- St. Louis Kolache
- Stir Crazy
- Straubs
- Texas Roadhouse
- Twin Peaks
- Fandango's
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
Judges:
- Matt Chambers - Host, Great Day St. Louis and Meteorologist, KMOV Channel 4
- Marc Cox - Radio Host,The Marc Cox Show, FM NewsTalk 97.1
- Carol Daniel - News anchor, KMOX 1120 Radio
- Chester Lampkin - Meteorologist, KSDK News Channel 5
- George Mahe - Dining Editor, St. Louis Magazine
- Liz Miller - Senior Editor, FEAST Magazine
- Alvin Reid - Host/Writer, KETC's Donnybrook and ESPN Radio
- Chef Manfred Zettl - Founder of Famous-Barr Onion Soup
2017 WINNERS:
SOUPS:
Judge's Awards:
Gold Ladle: Lobster Bisque from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
Silver Ladle: Thai Curry Bowl from Stir Crazy
Bronze Ladle: Curry Laksa Ramen from Nami Ramen
People's Choice Awards:
Gold Ladle: Lobster Bisque from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
Silver Ladle: Reuben Soup from Nordstrom Café Bistro
Bronze Ladle: Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe
DESSERTS:
Judge's Golden Whisk Award:
Bread Pudding with Whiskey Butter Sauce from Fandango's Sports Bar and Grill
People's Golden Whisk Award:
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes
UPDATE: The winners from 2018 are...
SOUPS:
Judge's Awards:
Gold Ladle: Avogolemono from The Greek Kitchen
Silver Ladle: Thai Curry Bowl from Stir Crazy
Bronze Ladle: Lobster Bisque from BRAVO! Cucina Italiana
People's Choice Awards:
Gold Ladle: Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe
Silver Ladle: Lobster Bisque from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
Bronze Ladle: Chicken Florentine from Fandango's Sports Bar and Grill
DESSERTS:
Judge's Golden Whisk Award:
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes
People's Golden Whisk Award:
Bread Pudding with Whiskey Butter Sauce from Fandango's Sports Bar and Grill
NOTES:
1. The Poblano Chicken Chowder from Canyon Cafe earned another gold ladle, keeping its record intact as the only soup that's won a ladle every time it's been entered.
2. The Lobster Bisque from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants, a double gold ladle winner last year, took a silver this year in the people's category.
3. A first time competitor, The Greek Kitchen in Ellisville, took the judge's gold with its version of the Greek classic, avogolemono.
4. The Thai Curry Bowl from Stir Crazy earned its second successive silver ladle in the judge's category.
5. The dessert winners this year were the same as last year, but the judge's/people's order was reversed, a first.
