The gauntlet was thrown down Saturday (May 23) as local chefs went head to head in Squamish's first annual Soup-Off at the Cedar Valley Waldorf School's May Fair.
Five chefs brought forth their most worthy creations and for only $5 community members who wanted to participate were able to sample each one, fill up on their favourite, and then cast a vote as to who makes the tastiest soup in town, said Jennifer Thompson, president of the Cedar Valley Waldorf parent initiative council and Soup-Off co-ordinator.
"It was an extremely difficult choice, as all the soups were absolutely delicious. But in the end The Copper House's mushroom fennel soup came out with the most votes," she said.
The other four soups followed closely behind. The Cup Bistro & Deli created a beautiful carrot brie, which was the first soup to disappear.
The Brackendale Bistro offered up a lovely tomato bisque. My Favourite Foods, a new deli now in the process of opening, made a unique stinging nettle soup.
"If you dared to try it you were lucky enough to be eating all local ingredients from Good Time Farming in Squamish Valley," said Thompson.
"And of course the Cedar Valley School entered its own infamous 'Stone Soup,' which is always a hit."
The chefs had a chance to chat up their businesses while describing their soups in detail to a continuous line of soup eaters who visited the fair through out the day.
The fair had one of its most successful years at the school's new location on Westway Avenue in Valleycliffe, said Thompson.
"We had incredible weather and an amazing turn-out. The community really came out to support us and made us feel welcome. It couldn't have been better."
Proceeds raised from the event went towards "greening up" the space around the school, and a portion went to The Helping Hands Society of Squamish.