HEAL announced the People’s Choice for the top three winners of the Nest Best Soup competition, held at the HEAL 2012 Empty Bowl Event.
HEAL committee member Chef Brendan Gochenour presented each winner with a plaque at a private gathering at Mr. Annie’s Center for the Arts. Joining him in the presentation was Josie Powell, Vice President of the HEAL Board of Directors.
The first place award went to Paul Kolb, who submitted his popular Mulligatawany Soup on behalf of the Disabled Skiers Program. Kolb said, “We worked with Perry champion on a HEAL event several years ago where we saw firsthand how HEAL and the NEST benefits our community. I wanted to show my support by entering the soup contest. I chose to make Mulligatawny soup because it has many diverse ingredients and they work together creating a very unique taste.”
One vote separated Kolb and second place winner, J Bar J Church. The Church brought several members of their congregation and presented a roasted green chile soup, posole and green chile stew. The cooking team consisted of Pastor Charles Clary, Waynette Walker Stewart, Elizabeth Frey and Laura Weaver. According to Pastor Clary, “J Bar J Church has always held a special place in our hearts for the families of The Nest and admired the hard work of staff, directors and volunteers to make it all possible. It was so nice to leave hard work at the door and eat, visit friends, eat, bid on the silent auction, eat, pick out a 2012 Empty Bowl, eat and vote! I encourage everyone to join the fun next year and enjoy a bowl of my, now, award-winning Posole.”
The third place winner offered vegan and vegetarians soups. Chef JR Contway and Joseph Hernandez are from C and C Consulting and Management with Dream Catcher Catering. When asked why he decided to participate, Contway said, “When Chef Gochenour called me and asked me to make soup for the Nest, I was quick to agree. We really support their work and this was one way to help give back. It was also a good opportunity to promote my business by supporting the shelter. A win-win, all the way around. The Empty Bowl Event is a great fundraiser.”
Pictured left to right are HEAL committee member Chef Brendan Gochenour with the 2012 People’s Choice Soup Winners Chef JR Contway and Joseph Hernandez of C and C Consulting with Dream Catcher Catering, HEAL Vice President Josie Powell, Elizabeth Frey and daughter Roxy representing J Bar J Church and Paul Kolb on behalf of the Disabled Skiers Program.