The Anna Maria Island Privateers are serving up a recipe for fun, fundraising and full bellies.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., AMIP will hold the first Bone Soup Cook-off. The event, with divisions for amateurs and pros, will take place at the Gulf Drive Cafe & Tiki, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.
Entry into the contest is free. Attendees can sample the soups for a $10 donation.
The Islander recently served up some questions for organizer Tim “Hammer” Thompson, who has been coordinating AMIP’s 40th anniversary events.
The Islander: The soup contest is a follow-up to the rum-tasting event earlier this year. Why do you think the rum-tasting was such a draw? And what are your hopes for the contest?
Tim “Hammer” Thompson: I think the rum-tasting was just something different, a great twist of the ever common wine-tasting, and maybe not such a high-society atmosphere.
Plus, we had a great location right on the beach, a live band, pirates have a lot of fun, and what else is there to do on a Thursday night in off-season.
So, I’m thinking that this cook-off again is something different, with a twist. In lieu of a chili cook-off, a soup cook-off with a pirate twist. I’m thinking there is going to be some outstanding soup to be tasted.
The Islander: Who will be judging the professional competition?
TT: Well, that’s a secret. Don’t want any pirate bribery going on in the professional division. However, in the amateur division, everyone who comes to taste the soup will get a ballot and that will kind of be a best-of-show judging by all the tasting public.
The Islander: People will be looking for something that exceeds, say, a can of Campbell’s?
TT: Well, all I can say is from conversations with the chefs, the caliber of chefs, and the restaurants vying for the trophy, bragging rights and permission to use the soup on their everyday menu with the privateers logo, yes it surely will be better than any canned soup you can buy.
The Islander: Who are some of the restaurant contestants?
TT: As of right now — in alphabetical order, so as not to sway the judges — Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Bridge Street Bistro, Cortez Clam Factory, Fins, Martiniville, The Feast, Rotten Ralph’s, Star Fish and the Waterfront Restaurant. And more just keep entering everyday…
The Islander: You’ll be sampling the soups, I imagine.
TT: For the rum-tasting you asked me the same question. I was so busy at that, with all the folks that turned out, the raffles, the 50/50s, the Jell-O shots and all that pouring of rum, I did not have one, single sample.
My plan is not to let that happen again. I love soup.
The Islander: What’s the best soup you’ve ever eaten?
TT: Hmm, I would have to say my grandmother’s homemade ham bone pea soup. Although her ox tail soup was pretty darn good, too.