Soup up for a cause

3 Girls Catering

Archie’s Place

Willowcreek Grill Boise

Jenny’s Lunch Line

Many restaurants, food trucks, or catering companies were at this winter event, so many soups to try in 4 hours.  For $7.50 per person, you can try as many soups as you like. The money raised from this event goes to Ronald

MacDonald House.  Some restaurants do not have any representative there as they just donate the soup.  Over 150 people attended this tasty event.  One bonus for the attendees is that they let Incredible Edibles provide cupcakes and fresh baked bread instead of soup.

Since presentation is not the reason to vote for your favorite soup, we evaluate base on taste.  Tasting can include the sensory effect of smell, texture, and flavors.  I will also add the healthy ingredients, the heart and intention of the chef that makes the soup appealing.

I watched many cooking shows and offered monthly tea tasting classes.  There is a different between a good cook and a chef.  I think a cook can follow a recipe to makes a good dish while a chef knows how to combine ingredients together to bring out a more complex flavor profile on the final dish.

With that said, I first absorb the scent of the soup.  If the aroma is appealing, I taste the soup and see what‘s in it. I realize that these sensory preferences are different for everyone.  Since coconut and curry appear to me, I tried several version of this soup.  Jenny’s Lunch Line has a Coconut Curry soup with lots of ingredients and aroma.  Chad Anderson of Willowcreek Grill has a chunky jalapeño Cheese soup that is very creamy with vegetables, spicy cheese flavor.  Archie’s Place serves an unusual cold Tomato soup with sweet strawberries.  It is smooth and mildly sweet.   Bacon served a very delicious Cream of Bacon Mushroom soup.  3-Girls-Catering also makes a Coconut Curry Soup.  Burgerlicious made a Cheeseburger soup with some secret ingredients. According to the chef, she had tried many different ways to make this soup to create its cheeseburger flavor, including good quality meat from a local farm.

I really appreciate owner operator businesses and enjoy meeting so many foodie people at this event. It has something for everyone, including vegetarian who do not eat meat. Looking forward to another one next year.

Victoria Chow, Tea Specialist