A team of students and professors from NC’s School of Culinary Arts were crowned the Platinum Ladle Award winner for best soup and the People’s Choice winner at the 18 annual Empty Bowls fundraising event.
Hosted at the Americana, the event supports Bethlehem Housing & Support Services to help end homelessness and reduce the impact of poverty across the Niagara region. During event, guests enjoy samples of gourmet soup prepared by Niagara’s finest chefs and served in one-of-a-kind bowls created by local potters. Guests take home the empty bowl as a continuous reminder of those who struggle to meet basic living needs in our very own community.
This year, students from NC’s Culinary Programs and Baking and Pastry Arts Program, and Chef Professor Dan Leblanc volunteered at the fundraiser by helping prepare and serve soup and creating a delicious dessert table. Retired Chef Professor David Gibson, who previously led NC’s Empty Bowl’s team each year, also came out of retirement to help students with production.
Among the six-person judge panel was Craig Youdale Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies and Chef Professor and owner of Willow Cakes and Pastries, Catherine O’Donnell. The judges took on the important task of choosing the winner of the Platinum Ladle Award for the best soup.
Congratulations to the Niagara College team!
