A sold right out crowd of 250 squished into the Penticton Art Gallery Wednesday for the first of the two consecutive nights that make up the 2024 "Soup Bowls" fundraising event.
Tonight, another 250 are expected for Round Two.
It's another solid endorsement for the Gallery, successfully navigating what’s been a tough fiscal year for many.
This summer, 15,000 people came through the doors for "Unexpected Bateman," the venue's biggest show since the pandemic-era Bob Ross exhibit entitled "Happy Little Accidents" attracted an equivalent number and became an Okanagan focal point during the COVID-plagued summer of 2020.
The Bateman total was "remarkable," said Gallery curator Paul Crawford Wednesday evening.
And the dual Soup Bowls sellouts aren’t too shabby either.
Wednesday night, it was longtime Penticton restaurant Brodo Kitchen emerging triumphant in an event where several of the town's top eateries duke it out in a battle of soup-making prowess and where guests duke it out for keepsake bowls.
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There were 12 eateries and 13 soups Tuesday (first-time participant Elk's Lodge brought a pair of entries), and in the end it was Main Street stalwart Brodo Kitchen reigning supreme in the prestigious People's Choice Award with its "Creamy Celeriac + Smoked Corn Chowder."
It was far from Brodo's first trip to the winner's circle.
Finishing second for the second consecutive year was all-vegan eatery Stillfood Bistro. Rounding out the top three was Sociale's "Italian Cheesesteak Soup."
One of many recognizable faces in the crowd Wednesday was that of former City of Penticton councilor Judy Sentes, who seemed thrilled that a fundraising concept debuting so long ago continues to soar.
"Twenty-six years ago when Geraldine Parent was curator of the gallery and I was the chair," she said, "we needed money. So she created this event. Same format as today. She even got the pottery guild to donate the bowls.
"It was originally only one night, but it was so popular we had to make it two. And it's still here today. Fundraisers usually don't last this long. Paul Crawford is carrying on the tradition so well."
Also floating in the sea of people was Pentictonite Patrick Dunn, knocking back a soup from Theo's Restaurant he said was "amazing."
"We're vibrant supporters of the Art Gallery," he said.
"We're so lucky to have this in Penticton, and events like this are terrific. You learn about local restaurants, meet friends, have a great time. I've been to the last four, at least."
Some in the crowd were Penticton newbies. Like Jenny and Peter Ziedins, who just moved here from Pennsylvania and rather quickly gravitated to the Gallery.
"I've come to the Okanagan probably a dozen times," said Peter, a Canadian by birth. "We talked soon after we met that we would retire here.
"And the other day we met Paul and he suggested we drop by. It's been great."
Jenny was fascinated with art from a young age.
"But my dad wouldn’t let me major in art," she said, "He thought it was a waste of time.
"So I'm so glad we came. Where I'm from we didn’t have community events like this. And I think Paul (Crawford) may be the nicest person I've ever met."
Both figured Highway 97 Brewery would take the evening with its "Smoked Chorizo, Beer & Cheddar Soup."
We also spotted Poplar Grove Winery founder Ian Sutherland, already on his second bowl and loving every minute of it.
"We're just here supporting the gallery," he said "They do a fabulous job and this is an amazing event. And the soup was fabulous too."
Over at the Stillfood Bistro table, co-owners Tyson Still and Theresa Payton had a pretty good crowd all night after their second place showing in 2023.
This time around their "Roasted Butternut Squash Soup" was runner-up again.
"Art is a huge thing in my family," explained Tyson. "In fact, we're doing an event next Saturday (the 23rd), where we have a live painting being done by our bistro's artist."
When the painting's complete, they'll bring it to the Gallery and auction if off the same day. More on that in a bit.
On the other side of the room, cooks San Hakoluk and Dawn Taman of Penticton's Elk's Lodge doled out two soups – one from each of them. It was the Lodge's very first time at the event, and it came with a double-barreled attack.
Hokoluk brought his borscht, laughingly telling us that some have renamed it "San's Magical Soup." He joked it might be "good for a close second."
Taman, meanwhile, served up her "Dawn's Favourite Friendship Soup," a hearty offering with plenty of lentils, rice and barley.
After it was all over, curator Crawford was undeniably upbeat.
"It's just amazing how people want to be a part of something," he said. "It’s word of mouth that sold us out tonight. Person to person endorsements.
"But it's been going on ten years more than I've been here and it's a cultural institution now. And I feel so fortunate that it's so interwoven into the cultural fabric. I'm so grateful that people choose to support the Gallery."
The next big deal for the Penticton Art Gallery comes Saturday, Nov. 23, when it hosts the grand finale of the 2024 Fall Art Walk.
There'll be a closing party from 4 to 6 PM with refreshments and wine, great deals on art and prizes. And of course that auction for the Stillfoods Bistro painting.
For more info on the Penticton Art Gallery, head here.
