A cluster of chefs is set to compete this Thursday, showcasing their top-notch soups at London’s inaugural SOUPer Bowl luncheon. Collaborating for a fundraiser, three London entities, namely Growing Chefs! Ontario, Urban Roots London, and Clayworx: Ceramic Arts Learning Centre, are uniting to celebrate farm-fresh produce, locally crafted soup, and handcrafted pottery, all while raising funds to combat food insecurity.
Andrew Fleet, the founder and executive director of Growing Chefs! Ontario, emphasized the growing need for community support amid decreasing financial resources from both government and individual households. Urban Roots is contributing the produce for the soups made by the Growing Chefs team, while Clayworx volunteers have crafted around 400 distinctive ceramic soup bowls.
Attendees, holding tickets, will gather at Growing Chefs’ The Grove location on 900 King St., where they can select a bowl crafted by local artists and sample up to 10 different soups during the 90-minute event. Inspired by the international charity initiative, Empty Bowls, the SOUPer Bowl aims to offer a more grassroots approach to fundraising, different from traditional gala dinners or golf tournaments.
Proceeds from the event will be divided among the three organizations, benefiting the London community through programs such as Growing Chefs’ food education initiatives and Urban Roots’ produce distribution efforts. The SOUPer Bowl not only fosters collaboration but also ignites a competitive spirit among the participating chefs, with guests having the chance to vote for their preferred soup.
Executive chef Katherine Jones, from Growing Chefs, was busy preparing her borscht soup, containing beets, potatoes, and cabbage, in anticipation of the event. The chefs, including Jones, spent the day perfecting their signature soups, embracing the competitive atmosphere of the SOUPer Bowl.
Meanwhile, volunteers at Clayworx meticulously packed the handmade ceramic bowls for the event, each bowl showcasing unique styles and designs. The event organizers aim to establish the SOUPer Bowl as an annual tradition during the Thanksgiving weekend, with two servings scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., where interested Londoners can purchase tickets on the Growing Chefs! Ontario website.