Submitted by Wise Temple
SOUP’S ON! The Brotherhood of Isaac M. Wise Temple is thrilled to announce the return of the Chicken Soup Cook-off, a hugely popular, community-wide gathering held annually for 16 years through 2020. While the pandemic forced a three-year pause to the event, the Brotherhood is excited to bring the tradition back to our community on February 4, 2024.
The competition includes both professional and amateur divisions. Restaurateurs and amateur chefs cook hundreds of gallons of chicken soup, vying for bragging rights and “Best” awards in multiple categories. While not created as a fundraising event, the proceeds from the Cook-off have enabled the Brotherhood to provide many services to Wise Temple and the community at large. In past years, funds from the event have helped the Brotherhood to support Found House Interfaith Housing Network (which provides shelter to those experiencing temporary homelessness), scholarships for Judaic Studies students and for children to attend Jewish summer camps, Wise Temple congregational events, and more. In addition, every year, leftover soup is donated to a local soup kitchen. Well over 1,000 gallons of soup have been donated since the Cook-off’s inception.
Attendees get to sample savory soups created by competitors from all over the Cincinnati area, with categories including Chicken Noodle, Matzo Ball and Most Original, offering something for every palate. In a break from past years, every category in this year’s competition will be a People’s Choice Award, with attendees casting the deciding votes for their favorites.
This year’s Brotherhood Cook-off Committee Co-Chairs are Ken Goldschneider and Billy Bie, supported by Brotherhood President Mark Newman. The organizing committee members include Joel Fogel, Jason Heinen, Scott Joseph, Josh Katzman, Rick Lefton and Ed Waterman. Co-Chair Ken Goldschneider noted, “The pandemic was hard on everyone and concurrent events have pulled people apart. It is great to get back to our mission and do what Brotherhood does best — do things for the community, bring people together, have fun doing it…and eat. We are excitedly looking forward to seeing everyone on February 4th.”
There will be live music from the Wise Temple Guitar Circle, and the Gift Shop will be open especially for attendees. There is a charge to attend.
The Wise Temple Brotherhood will host the 2024 Chicken Soup Cook-off on Sunday, February 4, from 12:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Wise Center in Amberley. Parking is free at the JCC and free shuttle buses will provide transportation to and from Wise Center. While free parking is also available at Wise Center, the upper lots are reserved for religious school until 12:00 p.m.
