Soupstock 2012

When about 200 chefs band together to get their voices heard to Stop the Mega Quarry, the crowd comes.  Just like what happened a year ago at Foodstock, foodies came in droves to support the efforts to stop the proposal to build a limestone mega quarry at Melancthon township.  When last year the attendance was 28,000, this year it swelled to 40,000 supporters.  I hope this strong showing would be a positive step towards stopping the build.  Today the City of Toronto connected to the source of its food.  Me being there today, I hope I made a difference in my own little way.

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From my learning from last year, I came ready and armed with plastic bowls, plastic spoons, paper towels and shoes that I could sink in the mud.  Knowing it was going to be a massive crowd, I came early with EyeCandyTO’s Abraham Wornovitzky.  It paid too that we had a scheme how to go through the massive list as we scrutinized the Soupstock map while we waited at Jamie Kennedy’s line.  This year, I promised myself I was not going to make the mistake of missing out on his good food because I was too late to get to his booth. Thirty minutes into the event, we met up with Kanto’s Diona and Trevor.   It was good too to be with friends as we ended up tasting a lot of soups, sharing what we get at each hawker booth.  Here is a list of what we have gone through:

Jamie Kennedy’s Kitchen – Swiss Chard Soup

Velouté Catering – Organic Root Vegetable with Fried Onion Leeks and Sweetbreads

Supi Cucu – Potato, Chorizo, Chickpea & Corn Stew with Cilantro Scallion Chimichurri, Diablo’s Fuego & Sour Cream

Joshna Maharaj – Masala Root Veg Puree with whole grain bread crumb

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen – Mulligatawny Soup & Irish Soda Bread

Woodlot Restaurant – Potato, Porcini, Anise  Soup

Rock Lobster – Lobster cappuccino

Boehmer – Sturgeon cartilage, bone marrow and belly meat bouillabaisse

Taboo – Muskoka Smoked Yellow Split Pea Soup with Smoked Armstrong Pig, Four Season Sprout and Maple Chili Oil

Alternative Grounds – Fresh Coffee!

Petit Thuet – Artisan bread topped with sausage and mustard

The Gabardine – Potato, Kale Soup with Corn bread croutons/Caldo Verde

One99 Restaurant – Canadian French Onion Soup

Crush Wine Bar – Borscht with Horseradish Goat Yogurt

Poutini’s – Laksa

Ursa – Dehydrated Vegetable with Rice Paper Soup

Urban Herbivore – Sweet Potato with Coconut Soup

Gushi – Butajiru Miso Soup

Casbah – North African Navy Bean Soup

Lee and Bent – Hot and Sour Soup

Gwailo – Winter Melon and Bacon Soup

So it would be an understatement to say that my belly was full this afternoon.  My top three faves were Supi Cucu’s, One 99 restaurant and Velouté Catering.  It was indeed a good day to have soup.  Just like last year, I hope the politicians don’t miss what we were trying to say. A crowd of 40,000 at today’s Soupstock should make it obvious that City of Toronto is saying No to the Mega Quarry.