On Feb. 3, the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church hosted the 17th Annual SOUPer Bowl in Port Washington.  It is an event where about 15 different restaurants in town donate soup to be tasted and then voted on to find a winner.  There was a $10 fee  entrance fee for adults and a five dollar  fee for kids six and under.  Those who attended had the opportunity to try all the soups with bread and crackers.  Additionally, participants were encouraged to bring canned goods and other non-perishable foods along with them. These items were collected by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce to be donated to local families.  

There are two different awards: “the People’s Choice Award,” which is the soup voted the best by most people, and “the Kids’ Choice Award,” which is the soup picked  by kids 12 and under.  

This year 12 restaurants donated soup to be tried: Ayhan’s Mediterranean Marketplace, Ayhan’s Shish Kebab, Cactus Cafe, Finn MacCool’s, Ikedo Ramen, Margarita’s Cafe, Mesita, Port Washington Diner, Sullivan’s Quay, The Wild Goose, Toscanini, and Yummy Gyro.  

The People’s Choice Award gave awards to first place, first runner up, and second runner up. Second runner up for the People’s Choice Award went to the Port Washington Diner and their Greek Lemon Chicken Soup.  

“It was my favorite soup of the day, and I will definitely be getting it next time I go to Port Washington Diner and throughout winter,” said sophomore Alanna Lamorte.  

Second place for the People’s Choice Award went to Sullivan’s Quay, who served a Potato Leek Soup.  Sullivan’s Quay is an Irish style restaurant on Port Boulevard.       Last but certainly not least, first place and the People’s Choice Award went to Finn MacCools who created a wild mushroom, taro root, and barley soup.  Finn MacCools is an Irish style restaurant located on Main Street in Port Washington.  It is named after a mythical character from Gaelic legends and was founded almost 40 years ago.  

The other award was the Kids’ Choice Award which was only voted on by kids 12 and under.  Second runner up for the Kids’ Choice Award went to Ikedo Ramen, who served miso soup.  It is a ramen restaurant on Port Boulevard right by the middle school and high school. Similarly to the Port Washington Diner,  Ikedo Ramen is a popular after school spot for students.  

“Miso soup is my favorite type of soup, so Ikedo Ramen had my favorite soup here and it is something I order often when I go there with my friends,” said sophomore Abby Zlotoff.  

Although Zlotoff did not get a vote in the kids choice awards as she is over the age of 12, she still voted for Ikedo Ramen in the People’s Choice Award category.  

First runner up went to Sullivans Quay.  Their potato leek soup received second place for both awards making it an all around fan favorite at the SOUPer bowl.  First place for the Kids’ Choice Award went to Port Washington Diner.  

“I love the Port Washington Diner’s soup.  It is so nice to have, especially when it is cold outside, and I need something to warm me up!” said senior Izzy Kaplan.

  All of the restaurants who participated had great soups that people loved even if they did not win an award.  Overall, it was a great opportunity because it gave people who attended the chance to donate food and try new soups.  Restaurants were able to advertise soups that they serve at their restaurant and give people who have never been to their restaurant an opportunity to discover it.  It gives the town a way to donate food based around a day where Americans tend to eat a lot of food, the Super Bowl.  This event was super successful and hopefully gets even more attention for SOUPer Bowl XVIII.