Varsity Inn in Ocean City (above left) and Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point (above right) took the top honors for their signature soups at the ACS Bowls of Hope Soup-Tasting Benefit on Saturday, February 3 in the school’s gymnasium. Out of the 21 chefs and restaurants who participated in the event, Varsity Inn was selected to receive the People’s Choice “Golden Spoon Award” with its Baked Jersey Tomato Soup and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar received the “Chef’s Souper Soup Award” for its Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. Over 500 people enjoyed sampling a variety of hot, delicious soups and voting for their top pick to receive the “Golden Spoon Award.” Towne & County Café in Egg Harbor Township, with its Tomato Basil Soup (pictured above middle), placed a close second to Gregory’s in the “Golden Spoon Award” category.
Acclaimed Chef Joseph Massaglia, owner of Mama Mia’s Ristorante in Seaville and host of the “Joe’s Table for Two” radio show on WOND 1400 AM, tasted the soups from each of the participants and selected the “Chef’s Souper Soup Award.” Café 80 West in Galloway with its Mulligatawny Soup and Brick House Pub and Grille in Mays Landing placed second and third in the “Souper Soup Award” category.
A variety of student performers provided entertainment throughout the evening. School families and friends also engaged in friendly competition bidding on Silent Auction gift baskets donated by various classes. Proceeds from the Bowls of Hope are benefiting the educational programs at Atlantic Christian School and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. In addition, a canned food drive spearheaded by high school students in the National Honor Society collected over 280 cans of soup and other non-perishable food items for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, which were delivered to the FoodBank on February 6. CLICK HERE to see additional photos from the 2018 Bowls of Hope posted in a gallery on the ACS website.
“We are very grateful to the chefs and restaurants that donated soup and for the support from families and friends that helped make Bowls of Hope a success,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “This event is all about teaching our students to show love and concern for the needy and homeless in our community by taking action and supporting the Rescue Mission and the Food Bank, two very effective local charities.”
Atlantic Christian gratefully acknowledges its Bowls of Hope participants and sponsors: the Academy of Culinary Arts; B.F. Mazzeo Fruit & Produce; Brick House Pub & Grille; Café 80 West; Carluccio’s Coal Fired Pizza; Chickie’s & Pete’s’ Clayton’s Self Storage; Crab Trap; Eat Clean Organization; Formica Bros. Bakery; Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar; JR’s Fresh Market; La Cucina & La Padella; La PizzaTea; O’Donnell’s Pour House; Philadelphia Mills; Romanelli’s Garden Café; Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Sadia’s Tea & Coffee; Sal’s Café; Sofia Restaurant; Steve & Cookies; Sturdy Savings Bank; Towne & Country Café; Varsity Inn; and Windjammer Diner Bar & Grille.
