Roosevelt’s 21st Named Souper Bowl IX Champion

Chef Benjamin Leffler (left) from Roosevelt’s 21st, the Souper Bowl IX Champion, and ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert.

BETHLEHEM, PA—With 19 restaurants and 29 soups, the competition was tasty – and fierce – at Souper Bowl IX, the culinary event held at the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café in Bethlehem Jan. 27.

Roosevelt’s 21st of Bethlehem took top honors for its dynamic and flavorful Beer Can Chicken Chowder. Chef Benjamin Leffler and his team were named Souper Bowl Champions after capturing the most attendee votes during the annual fundraiser, which raised more than $20,000 for the Arts Education Fund for ArtsQuest, the nonprofit that presents Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem and classes and programs at the Banana Factory arts center and SteelStacks.

“The proceeds from the Souper Bowl support the wide range of art programs offered to local schools through ArtsQuest,” says ArtsQuest Director of Education & Outreach Lisa Harms. “We’re grateful to all those who came out to taste the many delicious soups and also help provide arts access to thousands of children in our community. We’d also like to recognize the four student chefs from Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School who entered their delicious Cheesy Baked Potato and Thai Coconut Curry soups in the competition. This is a great addition to our ongoing partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District.”

Runner-up in the Souper Bowl Champion category was Volpe’s Sports Bar of Emmaus with a Beer Belly Bisque, while Easton’s The View at Morgan Hill’s Crème Brulée Soup was named second runner-up.

The official Souper Bowl Judging panel also handed out several honors at the conclusion of the Souper Bowl. Winners were:

Best Cream-Based – Crème Brulée Soup from The View at Morgan Hill, Easton
Best Ethnic – Greek Mountain Stew from Daisy Hill Deli & Grill, Allentown
Best Meat-Based – Beer Can Chicken Chowder from Roosevelt’s 21st, Bethlehem
Best Seafood-Based – Shrimp Bisque from SouthSide 313, Bethlehem
Best Vegetarian – Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Johnny’s Bagels & Deli, Bethlehem
Most Original – Kefir Yogurt Fig Soup from Forks Mediterranean Deli, Forks Township

Judges for Souper Bowl IX were Nicholas Coleman of The Restaurant Store, ArtsQuest Board of Trustees Chair Jim Creedon, Alexandra Hogan of WFMZ-TV 69 News and Becca Lynn & Sam Malone of CAT Country 96.

The Souper Bowl is presented The Restaurant Store, in association with media partner 100.7 WLEV. Proceeds from the event will go to support ArtsQuest’s arts and education programs and experiences for area students. Souper Bowl X is set for Jan. 26, 2019. Tickets for the event will go on sale later this year.