Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point took the two first place awards in our 2019 Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off Benefit — winning both the People’s Choice “Golden Spoon Award” and the Chef’s Choice “Souper Soup Award” with their rich and creamy Shrimp and Lobster Bisque. Sal’s Coal Fired Pizza in Somers Point came in 2nd place in the Golden Spoon Award with its New England Clam Chowder, and the Whisk Bakery and Cafe in Mays Landing took 3rd place in the Golden Spoon Award with its creative Cheeseburger Soup. We were thrilled to see some 400 people come out to sample the inviting variety of hot, delicious soups and choose their favorite. We enjoyed having Chef Joseph Massaglia, owner of Mama Mia’s in Marmora and Eat at Joe’s in Egg Harbor Township, join us again as our official “Souper Soup” judge, who had the difficult task of picking the best soup out of a very competitive field of contenders. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, donated to be an Event Sponsor, or brought cans of soup and other non-perishable items for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Working together, our 2019 Bowls of Hope was a “souper” success.

The Bowls of Hope showcased some of the best restaurants in and around Atlantic County serving up their specialty soups. Our high school students had the great experience of helping serve some of the soups and working behind the scenes with set-up, clean-up, selling tickets, and more. Students from elementary to high school presented 13 entertaining acts throughout the evening, showcasing their God-given talents and abilities. Students sang, danced, and even performed while riding hover boards. The high school duo of Ashleigh Martin and Lola Oguntuase preceded their act by talking about a student project that is being planned this spring to raise awareness about human trafficking.

We would like to thank and recognize the 18 chefs and restaurants who donated soup and helped make our event a success. Please join us in thanking them by patronizing these establishments. Our 18 participating restaurants and chefs were: Academy of Culinary Arts; Atlantic City Rescue Mission Kitchen; Barrels Authentic Italian Foods; Brick House Pub and Grille; Carluccio’s Coal fired Pizza; Chickie’s & Pete’s Egg Harbor; Eat Clean Organization; Gregory’s Bar; The Original Soupman Deli in Resorts; Sadia’s Tea and Coffee; Sal’s Coal Fired Pizza; Sofia Margate; Steve and Cookies By the Bay; Tacocat Linwood; Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall; Varsity Inn; Whisk Bakery and Cafe; and The Windjammer “Cafe Bar Grille”. We also had a surprise visit during the evening from Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who sampled some soups and presented our school with a congressional certificate of commendation for our event, which is benefiting our school’s educational programs, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and the Community FoodBank of NJ, Southern Branch.

We would also like to thank and recognize our generous Bowls of Hope Sponsors: American Church Group of NJ; B.F. Mazzeo Fruit and Produce; Clayton’s Self Storage; Edward Jones Investments, Jason Kiefer, Financial Advisor; Formica Brothers Bakery; HS Restoration and Cleaning Service; Olympic Physical Therapy; and Sadia’s Tea and Coffee.

Thank you to photographer Christina Kha for donating her services to capture these special moments. CLICK HERE if you are interested in purchasing photos from the event.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO GALLERY