Soup Competition
Saturday 12-2:30PM | lowell masonic Center
One of the highlights of WinterFest, the annual Soup Competition showcases delicious soups and chowders prepared by local restaurants. The competition takes place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 12pm to 2:30pm - Tickets are $5 at the door
Location: Lowell masonic center at 65 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA 01852
The Soup Competition is proudly sponsored by UMass Lowell, Lowell Sun Charities, and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.
2025 Winners
Judges Choice Awards
1st place - FORK included (Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Clam Chowder)
2nd PLACE - Panela Restaurant (Corn Chowder)
3rd PLACE - Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell (Roasted Carrot Ginger Bisque)
People’s Choice Awards
1st place - Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell (Roasted Carrot Ginger Bisque)
2nd PLACE - Purple Carrott Bread Co. (Chicken, Sage & Sweet Potato Chowder)
3rd PLACE - Panela Restaurant (Corn Chowder)
2025 Participants
Courtyard by Marriott Billerica - Seafood Chowder (contains dairy and gluten)
Purple Carrott Bread Co. - Chicken, Sage & Sweet Potato Chowder (contains dairy)
Firewater Tavern @ Wamesit Lanes - Mexican Street Corn Chowder (contains dairy and soy)
YouthBuild Culinary - Potato Soup with a Loaded Garnish Station (contains dairy and gluten)
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell- Roasted Carrot Ginger Bisque
Lowell Senior Center - Seafood Chowder (contains dairy and gluten)
Sahel Restaurant and Lounge - Le Bouillon Vert (The Green Soup)
Dragonfly Cafe - Chicken Tortilla Soup
FORK included - Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Clam Chowder
Fuse Bistro - Loaded Baked Potato Soup (contains dairy,soy and gluten)
Panela Restaurant - Corn Chowder (contains dairy)
Cobblestones - New England Clam Chowder (Contains Dairy, Gluten and Bacon)
MEET THE JUDGES
Nate Robertson
Nate Robertson is a community development professional with a passion for working with neighborhoods. As a Transformative Development Fellow with MassDevelopment, Nate works at the intersection of small business assistance, real estate, public art, and housing in the Acre neighborhood of Lowell. His efforts have helped strengthen the Acre as a vibrant hub for food businesses, leveraging initiatives like Taste the Acre to connect local restaurants with residents, students, and visitors. With deep roots in New England and a love for fostering real-time change at the neighborhood level, Nate continues to champion innovative projects that celebrate Lowell’s diverse food culture and community spirit.
kelcy scolnick
Chef Kelcy is a Lowell-based Chef and Educator with a passion for eating with the seasons and connecting with her community through food. She brings local ingredients to life through community cooking classes, dinner parties, and recipes that inspire confidence and creativity in the kitchen. In addition to running her own business, Chef Kelcy is the Farm Chef at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA. There, she leads hands-on programming for people of all ages and creates memorable farm-to-table experiences. Dedicated to making seasonal eating approachable and fun, Kelcy strives to help others find joy and connection through cooking.
Armani Thao
Armani Thao is a proud Cambodian-Chinese American and Lowell Native. He is also the founder and content creator of @ForkingWithArmani, a food-focused social media blog that incorporates travel, lifestyle and fashion. He travels throughout New England and beyond to highlight some of the best local eats and travel destinations.
In 2020, Armani was featured in a Google Pixel 6 digital campaign alongside his fiancé, Nic Supple, who is featured frequently on the blog. From interviews with Chef Gordon Ramsay to making sushi with Chef Morimoto, the blog has reached some incredible milestones, gaining a large organic audience. He has partnered with many international hotels, resorts and internationally famed brands like McDonald’s, Dunkin’, Hood and many more.
Vanna Howard
Representative Vanna Howard has been a public servant for more than three decades. She was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the 17th Middlesex District in 2020 and became the first woman of Khmer (Cambodian) descent to be elected a state legislator in the United States. She was recently re-elected to her third term. Representative Howard is a resident of Downtown Lowell with her husband Greg and two children, Suzanna and Max, and their dogs, Buster and Ming.