SYRACUSE — The crock pots were empty and bellies full by the end of the Wawasee Kiwanis Soup Supper. On Friday night, Jan. 31, the Syracuse Community Center gym was transformed into a full-service kitchen as Kiwanis members handed out servings of soup for tasting and voting.

This marked the seventh year that the Wawasee Kiwanis have sponsored the soup supper. The event is put on in collaboration with the Winter Carnival, but due to the unseasonably warm weather, the events were scheduled on a different weekend this year.

Rhys and Chad Jonsson circle their favorite soups as they taste them together during the annual Kiwanis Soup Supper.

The weather worked out in the Kiwanian’s favor as almost 200 people turned out to sample the 18 different soups. Attendance was much larger than past years and many of the soups sold out before the event was over. Alexis Mast, chairperson of the event, was pleased with the turnout, as this was her first leadership role in Kiwanis.

“I felt that being chairperson for this event provided me with a great opportunity to get more involved. It allowed me to work closely with a lot of members and see how great of a club we really have,” said Mast. “I couldn’t have been happier with the turnout this year. It is so great to see so many people from the community attend an event to support some great causes.”

The soups were not the only things that brought residents to the community center. Music and social interaction also filled the gym as attendees spent time reacquainting themselves with each other and filling their bellies with as many soups as possible.

“This is the time that people say, ‘we get to see our neighbors and friends.’ It really is a social event,” said Elaine Pearson, Kiwanis member.

But more important than the soup flavors and the chance to catch up with old friends was the true reason for the event, giving back to the community. More than $1,200 was raised for Riley Children’s Hospital and local scholarships through the $6 entry fee and the 50/50 raffle.

At the end of the evening all soup tasters got to vote on their favorite soups. The soups were divided into four different categories to make the voting fair.

The Sleepy Owl won best soup prepared by a restaurant with their smokey white bean chili and took home the plaque for best soup overall. Kathie Kenworthy won best soup prepared by an individual with her taco soup. The Lakes Area Players won best soup prepared by a non-profit with their cheeseburger deluxe. Psychobilly Kustoms won best soup prepared by a business with their tomato bisque.

Five-year-old Memphis, son of Kristi Martin and Nathan Frueiburger, accepted the award for Psychobilly Kustoms, making him the youngest winner of the soup supper. He was proud of his creation and even had the photos to prove he cooked the soup with the help of his parents.

Aspiring chefs have 12 months to perfect their soup recipes in hopes to join the winner’s circle at next year’s soup supper.