Simmered For Success

Becky Billingsley | Food Bytes

For 14 years, local members of the American Culinary Federation have simmered soups, chilled soups and served soups, all in the name of promoting local culinary education. This Sunday promises to be the biggest and best Souper Supper to date.

Twenty-five trophies will be awarded Nov. 8 at the 14th Annual ACF Souper Supper.Twenty-five trophies will be awarded Nov. 8 at the 14th Annual ACF Souper Supper.
Although this is only the second year the Souper Supper has taken place at The Market Common in Myrtle Beach, already the event is entrenched in the development’s schedule, and the pairing seems perfect. Valor Memorial Garden, which is off Farrow Parkway, has plenty of room for the enormous tent where 40 local chefs are bringing stock pots full of soups such as Mulligatawny Stew, Forest Mushroom Consomme, Lowcountry Gumbo, Tuscan Kale and Tomato Soup, White Bean Chicken Chili, Grilled Chicken and Chorizo Chowder, and Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon Crème.

For the first time, soups are being offered in four categories: Broth, Cream, Vegetarian and Lowcountry/Ethnic.

From noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, diners will pay $10 each, or $5 for children ages 4-11, to enter the big tent and sample as much soup as they like. Also included in the price is non-alcoholic beverages, breads and sweets. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant will have a cash bar for beer and wine. Charlie Lee and his jazz combo will set a relaxing tone.

In years past a recipe booklet containing all the event’s soups was distributed, but the practice was discontinued in 2008. Due to popular demand, the recipe book is coming back this year and is better than ever. At 3 p.m., one-pint containers will be sold for $5 that diners may have filled up to take home.

Soup-eaters will also receive one complimentary door prize ticket, and extra door prize tickets or 50/50 cash drawing tickets will be available for $1 each, 6 for $5 or 14 for $10. Door prizes range from cookbooks and unique cutlery to golf caps and restaurant gift certificates.

Due to popular demand, once again all the soups at the Souper Supper are collected in a recipe booklet.Due to popular demand, once again all the soups at the Souper Supper are collected in a recipe booklet.
Also new this year is an increase in the number of trophies. Lee’s Farmers Market in Murrells Inlet donated 25 trophies, and they will be awarded for first, second and third place (plus one overall winner) in all four soup categories, for both judges’ choice and people’s choice. People entering the tent will each be given one ticket they’ll use as their people’s choice vote, and will drop the ticket in a designated People’s Choice jar located on their favorite soup’s table.

What: 14th Annual American Culinary Federation Souper Supper

When: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8

Where: Valor Memorial Garden, Farrow Parkway, The Market Common

How much: Admission is $10 ages 12 and older; $5 ages 4-11. Includes recipe booklet and one door prize ticket. Pints of soup will be sold starting at 3 p.m. for $5.

Details: Entry fee includes all the soup, bread and dessert samples you care to eat, while supplies last.

Participating restaurant can be found here.