Popular Culinary Events Bring Local Businesses Together to Raise Funds for Nonprofit’s Arts Education Programs for Youth

Chefs, restaurants and bakeries from throughout the region will go head to head by putting their culinary creations to a public taste test during ArtsQuest’s annual Cupcake Bowl on Dec. 28 and Souper Bowl on Jan. 25. All proceeds from these fund-raising events, which will take place at the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, will go to support ArtsQuest’s Arts Education Programming Fund, which provides quality arts and education programs for area students.

On Dec. 28, 12:30-2:30 p.m., the public is invited to sample a variety of dynamic desserts at the second-annual Cupcake Bowl.  During the event, area bakeries will serve up scrumptious cupcakes while competing for the title of Best Cupcake. Attendees will cast their votes to determine the People’s Choice winner, while a judging panel will decide the winners for Best Frosting, Best Cake, Best Decoration and Best Overall Taste.

Among the participants already confirmed for this year’s Cupcake Bowl are Amy’s Sweets & Treats, Kym’s Creations Bakery, Lehigh Catering, Louie’s Bakery, Delightful Designs and Cuddles’ Cupcake Bar. Tickets for the event are $20 for ArtsQuest Members and $25 for the public.

On Jan. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., it’s the annual battle for soup supremacy when more than 20 area chefs and restaurants come together for the Souper Bowl, the culinary fund-raiser that has raised more than $34,000 to support ArtsQuest’s arts and cultural programming for young people over the past four years.

During Souper Bowl V, area restaurants and eateries will serve up a variety of hearty soups while competing for the title of Souper Bowl Champ.  Guests are invited to taste all of the soups and vote for their favorites to determine the People’s Choice Award winner. In addition, a panel of judges will issue awards in six categories: Best Vegetarian, Ethnic, Chowder, Cream-Based, Meat-Based and Most Original. Restaurants already confirmed for the 2014 Souper Bowl include Vintage Restaurant & Bar, Iron Lakes Country Club and Cathy’s Creative Catering & Café.  Tickets are $25 for ArtsQuest Members and $30 for the public.

For 2014, the Souper Bowl is also offering the new Souper Bowl VIP Experience, where patrons can have exclusive access to the soups for one hour before the public.  VIP Experience guests are invited to sample all the soups and talk with chefs, all without having to battle the crowds. Souper Bowl VIP Experience tickets are $50 for ArtsQuest Members and $55 for the public and come with a special Souper Bowl commemorative item.

The complete list of Cupcake Bowl and Souper Bowl participants will be announced later this fall.  Any restaurant or business interested in participating in either event can contact ArtsQuest’s Samantha Kulp at 610-332-1365 or skulp@artsquest.org.

For more information on the Souper Bowl or Cupcake Bowl, please visit www.artsquest.org.