The soup was indeed on in Ely on Oct. 23.
Well over 200 people turned out for the first Golden Ladle Contest, a soup sampling spectacular held at the Ely Community Center.
Boundary Waters Kitchen and Market won the inaugural Golden Ladle, taking the top prize over soups submitted by Grand Ely Lodge, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium, Insula and the Sheridan Street Delicatessen.
But in addition to the soup contest, the night proved to be about community as well - and a big hit.
“We were hoping for 50 to 100 people and the community really showed up,” said event coordinator Tara Boerst. “There were 218 votes, so at least 218 people were there.”
Participants paid $10 each to sample the various soups and take part in the contest.
Bread, dessert and drinks were also included and discounted prices were offered for children as well as a $20 family maximum.
“We had to turn people away at the door before 6 p.m. because we had run out of soup,” said Boerst. “The crowd was very diverse - a great cross-section of our community.”
The restaurants showed off their soups while battling for the Golden Ladle, and guests could also support local artisans by purchasing handmade bowls at the event. Each bowl purchase included free admission to the Golden Ladle Contest and was billed as a meaningful way to enjoy soup while supporting Ely’s pottery community.
SOUP SAMPLING - David Wigdahl of Ely served up some soup during the inaugural Golden Ladle Contest, which attracted more than 200 people last week at the Ely Community Center. Photo by Pam Roberts.
The event was a combined effort involving the Ely Folk School with the Ely Community Center. “I think it was such a great event because we partnered with the Ely Folk School right from the start,” said Boerst, who runs the Ely Community Center. “I had originally envisioned that students who took a bowl class from EFS would be able to bring their bowl and get in for free, and the entire event and partnership blossomed from there. Partnering with the EFS led to great ideas - things we would have not thought up on our own.”
Ely Community Resource also participated in the event and made brownies in the Ely Community Center kitchen. The event also got support from local bakers.
After a smashing debut, plans call for the event to return.
“We plan to do this again next year and take what we learned from this year to make it even better,” said Boerst.
FULL HOUSE at the Ely Community Center for the Golden Ladle soup event. Photo by Pam Roberts.
