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The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation's 10th Annual Soup Stroll returns this Saturday (January 31), bringing warm bowls and friendly competition to downtown restaurants during the winter chill.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., soup enthusiasts can sample 3-ounce portions from 32 participating establishments for just $1 per sample. The event has grown into a beloved winter tradition, with restaurants preparing unique creations ranging from Titanic First-Class Atlantic Lobster Bisque to Buffalo Bills Tailgate Chicken Gumbo.
This year marks a significant change in the competition, as multi-year winner Simone's Kitchen will not be defending its title. Owner **Bashir Chedrawee** announced the decision to his staff before last year's event, contingent on winning the top prize again.
"We're excited to take our aprons off for once and enjoy this competition from the other side," Chedrawee said. Instead of competing, he will host the event and take over the DSIC social media accounts for the day, providing behind-the-scenes coverage.
Maureen Neufeld, executive director of Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, expressed enthusiasm about the milestone anniversary. "For this 10th anniversary Soup Stroll, we are thrilled to be able to welcome some new participants to the event to serve up soups alongside many of our well-established venues," she told the Daily Gazette.
Participants can vote for their favorites in four categories: Souperstar (Best Overall), Most Creative, Most Instagram Worthy, and Best Atmosphere. Voting will close at 4:15 p.m., with the Souperstar winner announced around 5 p.m.
The diverse menu includes creative offerings like Carrot Ginger Soup from Raw Juice Bar, Chicken Wonton Soup from SUNY Schenectady Food Truck, and German Kartoffelsuppe from Wolff's Biergarten.
For those planning to attend, maps will be available at participating locations, and plenty of parking is available throughout downtown. The full list of participating restaurants and their soup offerings can be found at downtownschenectady.org.