The Kootenay Gallery of Art’s annual Soup for the Cultured Soul fundraiser was back last weekend as an in-person gathering for the first time since the pandemic.
The event was held March 2 at the Castlegar and District Community Complex and the gallery sold 140 tickets.
The event featured soups created by local chefs served into bowls made by local artisans. Guests then get to take their soup bowls home to keep.
This year’s menu was extremely diverse.
The People’s Choice award (voted by attendees) went to Chef Sahdev Sharma and The Nineteenth for their Asian Dumpling Soup.
The Chef’s Choice award (voted by the chefs) was a tie between Sherlin James and James Varghese from MapleMirch for their Coconut Mung Bean Soup and Emmy Pitt from Tacos el Gringos for her Caldo Loco Soup.
The remaining offerings were Savoyarde with Gruyere Crostini (Gerard Martin, Chef’s Choice), Bacon Beer Jalapeno Soup (Justin Dougall, Lion’s Head Smoke & Brew Pub) Roasted Squash with Brown Butter Sage and Toasted Pepita Soup (Laurie Wiltsey, Maggie’s Mug), Creamy Corn Soup (Kim Clark, Kim’s Creations), Roasted Red Pepper Soup (Erin Billsborough, Black Rooster Classic Bar and Grill) and Dill Pickle Soup (Cheyenne Carr, Cartwright’s Pub).
“We can’t thank the amazing chefs enough,” said Kootenay Gallery Board Chair Audrey Maxwell-Polovnikoff. “They have a great energy and have been great to work with.
“We are really happy with the turnout and the community’s support of the gallery. Being face-to-face, the social atmosphere and the energy in the room tonight is very exciting.”
She also thanked the event’s committee chair Judy Wearmouth, the event committee, decorator Judy Madelung, Kootenay Gallery staff and volunteers, the staff at the Community Complex for their hard work and the event’s many sponsors for their generosity.
Along with the restaurants who donated their soups for the event, and the artisans who provide their bowls at a discount other supporters supplied auction items and door prizes.
“It takes a village,” says Maxwell-Polovnikoff.
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