Bissell Park was a hive of activity on Thanksgiving Day.  The Clay and Glass Show showcasing works of potters and glassblowers who had contributed to the Empty Bowls Project, attracted hundreds of visitors on a perfect, balmy day.  The FEBBA Bed Race provided light relief while the first Sensational Elora Soup-Off was well attended and a great success.  

Sensational Soup-Off winners were:

Professional Chefs Category:  
Braden Beveridge of Rivers Edge Restaurant at the Grand River Raceway with “Slow-Burning Autumn Sunset” a soup made with jalapeno and avocado cream with roasted tomato.  The soup was previously chosen by the staff at the restaurant to represent them following an internal soup competition.

Amateur Chefs Category: Tie - between
Graham Dalziel, who prepared an old-fashioned, hearty beef and barley soup;  and
Cathy Burton, who made a delicious and original apple pie soup, much appreciated by the younger crowd.

For those interested in the recipes of all soups submitted for the contest, you’ll be happy to know that these will be published in the Sensational Elora Soup-Off Cookbook sometime in 2009!