When the smoke finally cleared in the Penticton Soupateria kitchen last Sunday, Theo’s Jaymz Miller was left holding the silver ladle.
His hot and hearty beef barely was judged the people’s choice in the championship round of the first Souper Sunday cook off.
Miller, who knocked off his co-worker, executive chef David Stern, edged Lakeside Resort’s Aaron Armstrong who had earlier defeated Paul Cecconi of Brodo Kitchen.
During the three-week competition over 300 of the Soupateria’s regular clientele along with some VIP judges had an opportunity to sample some super soups and help out.
Event co-organizer Wayne McDougall was especially pleased with the results and the overall purpose, raising the profile of the facility which operates every day to provide those who require it, a healthy mid-day meal.
"Awareness wise it was kind of spoke to people getting an inside look at the process, about the people who help and the people who are helped," said McDougall, who has been working with Don Magill on the project. "The diners, many of them are regulars, were well aware of when the third Sunday came around. They were quite keen about what was going on.
"I think the most notable point was that most of the celebrity judges had never been to the Soupateria and never experienced what it was like to be there."
Mayor Jakubeit was one of those celebrity judges last Sunday.
"It’s great to come to the Soupateria and volunteer for an hour. It’s eye opening and humbling as well," he said.
According to McDougall, it’s hoped to make this an annual event and possibly adding a fund-raising component.
An added bonus to Souper Sunday was the opportunity for four members of the Penticton Secondary School culinary program to get some on-the-job training with the pros.