Port Cares Soupfest never fails to serve up tasty menu
Port Cares’ ninth annual Soupfest menu is a highly-protected secret, the agency’s executive director said Monday.
Christine Clark LaFleur said the four groups making soups for this Thursday’s event are holding on to what will be served.
“It’s under wraps right now. I’ve been trying to find out and have heard some rumblings of Mulligatawny and chicken enchilada soup,” said LaFleur.
The agency hoped to know what soups were being served by Tuesday because it prints the recipes for people who attend Soupfest at the Italian Hall in Port Colborne.
LaFleur said there have never been two of the same soups made and served by the groups at the events in the past. Those making soups Thursday include culinary teams from Port Colborne High School, Niagara College and Lakeshore Catholic High School, along with Port Cares Reach Out Centre staff.
There could be anywhere between six and eight different soups ready for tasting, LaFleur said.
“Some teams serve one soup, some serve two.”
Soupfest gets underway at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door and the Port Cares office at 92 Charlotte St.
It’s one of the agency’s important and awareness-building fundraisers. All proceeds go into the community kitchen at the Reach Out Centre and the food bank
With 70 to 90 people a week coming for the meal program, which runs three meals a week, and 1,200 people registered for the food bank, LaFleur said Port Cares relies on Soupfest.
“The number of people registered with the food bank has stayed consistent … we haven’t seen a trend in increasing registration.”
LaFleur said Soupfest usually raises between $4,000 and $5,000.
“We appreciate and require every dollar that comes in.”
With attendance last year at just below 200 people, the agency’s executive director hopes to see 250 to 280 people come out and enjoy the tasty soups Thursday.
The Italian Hall is at 223 Bell St. For more information on Soupfest check Port Cares’ website at portcares.on.ca.