Every so often as I wander through downtown I see posters up for events. Quite often I look at the poster and then immediately forget what it was about. Such was the case for the Stone Soup Fundraiser.  This was held yesterday at the Manitoba Hydro Building. Iâd read the Stone Soup poster a couple of times, but not really made note of it.
As I was walking down Edmonton on my way to a cup of coffee, I noticed a CBC van parked across from the Hydro building. I wondered what might be happening and then suddenly I remembered the fundraiser.
A pot of Solyanka, a hearty Russian Meat Soup, on offer at the Stone Soup Fundraiser.
Yesterdayâs fundraiser was in support of the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba. This organization is dedicated to making sure that all children have access to health and nutritious food. This is largely done through school programs. Itâs hard to learn on an empty stomach.Â
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Last week I took part in the Harvest Poverty Pledge. Yesterday was another chance to be involved with an organization that is attempting to make sufficient, healthy food available to all. Children are often the most vulnerable members of our society, and helping them to have strong foundations in food and health is very important.
I arrived a little before the 11 am starting time figuring it would be easier to get some pictures taken when there werenât as many people about. While I was wandering about I ran into a Dorothy Earl, a music teacher and friend of mine from my days at Church of the Way. It turns out, that the chief organizer of the day was another friend from Church of the Way, Viola Prowse, who works for Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba. Â So, in addition to being a great opportunity to help a good cause, the event turned into be a bit of a reunion as Viâs husband Dan was also there, and one of the judges was former high School principal Tom Chan another friend from that time.
Stone Soup is a very famous story, that revolves around people unwilling to share their food being tricked into sharing it. Unlike the story, there was no trickery needed to get the participating restaurants involved. Iâve said it in the past, but it bears repeating, Winnipegâs food scene is full of some of the most generous and giving people in the city. The chefâs below made a 100% donation, not only of their time, but also of the soups on offer:
Jon Royal - RRC School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts â Tomato Sambuca Bisque
Olga Lumburner & Students - R.B, Russel Voc High School, Culinary Arts Progam â North African Spice Soup
Ben Kramer - Elements & Diversity Catering â âMac & Cheeseâ
Jess Young â Buffalo Stone CafĂŠ â Solyanka: A Hearty Russian Meat Soup
Scott Bagshaw - Deseo Bistro & Enoteca â Lobster Bisque
Talia Syrie â The Tallest Poppy West â Purple Potato Soup
Jack MacFarlane â The Frenchway CafĂŠ â Curry Lentil Soup, Split Pea & Ham
Stefan Gusztak - Rudyâs Eat & Drink â Smoked Tomato Soup w/Cheesy Chiabata
Michael Robins â Sydneyâs at the Forks â Moorish Butternut Squash Soup
Jesse Friesen â 295 York (WOW!) â Roasted Potato w/Ale, Bacon & Smoked Gouda
Jan Hiebert - Stellasâ CafĂŠ â Roasted Red Pepper & Lentil w/Goat Cheese Crostini
Fern Kirouac - Infernoâs Bistro - Chicken Ragu w/Cashew Kale Chips
Somehow or another I didnât get a photo of the R.B. Russell sign.
I had a Eucharist at St. Philipâs starting at 1 pm so I didnât get a chance to take in all the soups that were on offer (tickets were 3 for $10) but the five that I did get to try, (yes a couple of chefs let me try no charge) were all terrific. As I mentioned earlier, there was a judging element to the day. All I can say is that they had one tough job. Just after I tried one soup and thought that it was really great, I try another one and think that was just as great. The one soup I really had wanted to try was the Lobster Bisque, but the line-up for it was too long, and didnât let up the whole time I was there.
Now, just because the fundraiser is over, doesnât mean you canât support the Child Nutrition Council. Get in contact with them and find out how you can be involved in helping to bring nutritious meals into the lives of Manitobaâs children.
Also, this was the third Stone Soup Fundraiser. I expect next year we will see the fourth. Finally in addition to great soup there was great music. Avery Vibe performed a selection of upbeat music as part of the Stone Soup event.
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 Stone Soup Fundraiser Every so often as I wander through downtown I see posters up for events. Quite often I look at the poster and then immediately forget what it was about.
