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Some folks traveled more than two hours for a bowl of delicious hot soup and a mixed up salad on a cold winter evening recently in Lake Lure.
The Souper Supper on February 25 sponsored by the Chamber of the Hickory Nut Gorge was the chamber's first community event since the Winter of 2019. It was a great success.
The Riverside Event Center was the scene of the event and people of all ages gathered for award winning soups, salads, desserts and most of all fellowship.
Donna Hunt of Charlotte, Ruth Russell, Mooresville, Margie Sullivan and Linda Reynolds of Charlotte saw the event notice on Facebook and decided it was time to take a road trip to Lake Lure. The friends met each other on their jobs at Novant Health in Charlotte.
"A wonderful event. We had a great time," Margie said.
Others traveled less miles, but had the same goal in mind, to get out of the house for much needed fellowship, good soup, salads and a way to financially support the Gorge Chamber.
"The Souper Supper is an event the locals have been encouraging the Chamber to bring back to life after COVID cancelled so many events for the past two years," said Laura Doster, executive director of the Chamber of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
"It was heartwarming to see everyone out, enjoying great food and each other's company," she said.
The soup table featured 26 soup entries from people from the Hickory Nut Gorge. There were also 11 salads, all with various flavors. Many of the local restaurant owners submitted entries.
"The donated desserts were out of this world, and it was a full house," Doster continued.
"We were very thankful to Riverside Event Center for donating the center, to all the volunteers, cooks and attendees."
"We hope to make this an annual event, combine it with A Taste of the Gorge and expand it to include a month-long experience of "Tastes of the Gorge", she added.
The Chamber's next signature event will be a new endeavor -- a farmer's market in Lake Lure's Town Center.
"This will run from the week after Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend (at least that's the goal right now)," Doster said.
Future events, Doser said, could include bartender mix-off, chef's cooking competition, vineyards tasting competition, locals' bake off, local market exhibit, art classes, cooking classes.
Visit www.hickorynutchamber.org to learn of all the events tab and keep up with member's events, as well, Doster said.
Soup Winners:
1st; John & Megan Venuto of Highland's Kitchen + Bar - Chili
2nd; Adam Craven - Tomato & Bacon Bisque
3rd;Laura Doster - Chicken Tortilla Soup
Salad Winners:
1st; Julie McKinney - Seven-layer Salad
2nd; John & Megan Venuto - Wedge Salad
3rd; Laura Doster - Jalapeño Coleslaw
Soups: Beef Stew, Chicken Tortilla, Chili,, Cream of Onion, Split Pea, Cream of Crab, New England Clam Chowder, Roasted Red Peppers/Tomato/Smoked Gouda, Beff Barbacoa, Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Cheddar Broccoli, Matzah Ball, Winter Lake Wild Rice Soup, Chicken Chili Mojo, Mountain Style Chicken Soup, She Crab, Creamy Butternut Squash, Clam Chowder, Loaded Baked Potato w/Cheese & Broccoli, Tomato & Bacon Bisque.
Salads: Jalapeno Coleslaw, Boss Queens Crunch Salad, Wedge, Italian Sub Chopped, Chicken Waldorf, Spinach w/Gorgonzola & hot bacon dressing, Blue Cheese & Craisin, April's Famous Italia Hybrid, Seven-layer, Southwest Pasts, & Grilled Romaine Hearts.
