SOUPer BOWL CHALLENGE 2025

The Gananoque and Area Food Bank is inviting everyone out to try some new varieties of soup, and maybe even find a new favourite during their SOUPer Bowl Challenge at the Firehall Theatre in Gananoque on Thursday, April 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Whether a creamy chowder, hearty stew, or something else, thereÕs bound to be some thing for everyone. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network Photo by Lorraine Payette /For Postmedia Network

There’s nothing like a warm, comforting bowl of homemade soup at this time of year, and the Gananoque and Area Food Bank (GAFB) is inviting everyone out to try some new varieties and maybe even find a favourite during their SOUPer Bowl Challenge to be held at the Firehall Theatre in Gananoque on Thursday April 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The soup-making competitors in this event are by invitation and include local restaurants and organizations. Each has been given a very specific list of core ingredients to use, from the food bank’s own list of standard supplies, and each must create one soup using ingredients from this list. No substitutions are allowed.

“They will be allowed to add herbs and/or spices from their own supply,” said Andy White, GAFB manager. “They can only use two x 20-quart pots for making and transporting the soup and they will be provided with one-time use recyclable bowls from the food bank for them to use to distribute their soup to those in attendance. These bowls will be available throughout the event.”

It’s $10 per person (children under 12 eat free), to come and support the event, with each taster will receive one spoon. The choice of soups is unlimited, allowing everyone to taste as many or as few as they wish.

The are three categories the soups will be judged – Best Creative Soup Over-all, Best Fun Soup/Unique Soup, and Best Named Soup, with ballot boxes available for tasters to place their votes.

“The community can sample as many bowls as they wish, but also under the discretion of the participant,” said White. “The participants will purchase the ingredient items, as it would be too costly for the bank to give out the food. Not all of our core items are on the list, but this should be a good selection.”

Restaurants and organizations that participate need to have a commercial kitchen or one that has been inspected and passed by the health unit.

Only one restaurant or organization can win in any category, and they can only win the one area. If, for example, a group wins two categories, they will get the recognition for the one with the most votes, and the runner-up will take the other category.

The list of possible ingredients includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables; chicken, bacon and ground beef; pasta and condiments. While not all of the available items from GAFB are on the list, there is more than enough to stimulate the imaginations of creative cooks. Top soup creators will receive this year’s bragging rights for their efforts.

To learn more, contact Gananoque and Area Food Bank at 613-382-4434 or Ganfoodbank@gmail.com.