The 3rd annual Empty Bowl Event to benefit Help End Abuse for Life (HEAL) & Nest Domestic Violence Shelter will be held on Sunday, October 28th from 4-7pm at the Cafe at Mountain Annie’s at 2714 Sudderth Drive in Ruidoso.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. Only 300 bowls and tickets will be available, so get your tickets early. Attendees will receive samples of various soups prepared by local Chefs and restaurants, a ticket to vote for their favorite soup, a hand crafted bowl filled with their favorite soup, breads, cookies for dessert, live entertainment and an opportunity to bid in a silent auction for some of the most coveted pottery in Lincoln County.
The Empty Bowl Event to benefit the women and children of the Nest was the brainchild of ENMU-Ruidoso adjunct faculty and local artist Judy Pekelsma in 2009. This year’s event will feature over 300 handmade pottery bowls made by professional potters, current and past ENMU pottery and ceramic students, HEAL board members and staff, the women and children residing at the Nest and other local artists.
This year attendees will have the opportunity to select a professionally-made bowl by local potters such as Judy Pekelsma, Vicky Conley, Roy Brown and others for $25, which also includes all the benefits of admission.
Josie Powell, HEAL Vice President and chairwoman of the Empty Bowl planning committee, says, “The Empty Bowl event is a great way for the community to support the Nest Domestic Violence Shelter while enjoying delicious soups made by local chefs. It is guaranteed to be an enjoyable Sunday afternoon filled with great food, art and entertainment.”
Another twist to this years’ event is being coordinated by HEAL volunteers, husband and wife, Brendan and Audrey Gochenour. The Gochenours will be coordinating a soup competition between local chefs, restaurants, individual food enthusiasts and civic organizations.
Determination of the Best Soup in Lincoln County will be by popular vote of those in attendance at The Empty Bowl. Each restaurant or entrant will prepare 3 gallons of their best or signature soup. The chef is encouraged to serve their creation at the event, decorate their table, and provide any breads, crackers or toppings which best complements their creation.
Brendan Gochenour says, “It is a great place to showcase your talents and your business or organization. Bring menus, business cards, whatever…but most importantly, bring your ability to have fun. This is a great way for aspiring cooks and chefs to compete with professional chefs and earn the bragging rights to the 2012 title of “The Empty Bowl Best Soup.”
Brendan is a chef and Sysco Sales Representative and his wife Audrey is a registered nurse. Brendan is the President of the White Apron Society, a local non-profit organization of chefs doing community service work and promoting the culinary arts. The Gochenours are longtime residents of the Ruidoso area, parents of 6 children, 5 of whom are still living at home. They are also active community volunteers.
Brendan Gochenour encourages all foodies to participate in The Empty Bowl, “It is going to be great fun and it supports a great cause, The Nest. This event is a feel good thing all the way around. You get to showcase your soup and advertise your business while helping The Nest out. It’s a win-win situation.”
Audrey sees her role as that of organizer and all around helper…helping with whatever needs attention. She has volunteered as co-MC with KEDU’s Harvey Twite at the 2011 HEAL Heroes with Heart awards ceremony and currently does medical programs for the residents at the Nest. She points out that an event like The Empty Bowl requires many volunteers to be successful.
Any business, individual or organization who would like to participate in this year’s Empty Bowl Best Soup Contest should contact Brendan Gochenour on his cell phone, 575-937-8370, for details and to register.
Any artist or business who would like to donate an item to the silent auction should contact Powell at Josie’s Framery at 575-257-4156.
HEAL & the Nest invite you to visit their facebook page.
Pictured are Brendan and Audrey Gochenour, HEAL volunteers extraordinaire.
