This year’s Souper Soup Sipper goes beyond Oamaru to the wider Waitaki District.
Twenty-one cafes and restaurants have submitted their own take on a variety of warming bowls of soup for the three-week food festival, from July 6 to 28.
Katrina McLarin, from the Criterion Hotel, said in a statement it was great to see a variety of hospitality venues working together with a common goal of trying to encourage more business, especially during the leaner winter months.
"The bonus is the community gets to benefit from trying all these wonderful flavour combinations at different venues and locations around Waitaki".
New entrants from beyond Oamaru included Moeraki Boulders Cafe, The Fort Enfield, Otematata’s Best Dam Pub and The Flying Pig, Duntroon.
Newcomers in Oamaru include The Roost Cafe, Fat Sally’s and Columbus Cafe.
Participating again are cafes such as Short Black, Badger & Mackerel, Tees St, Harbour St Collective and the Galley and restaurants like Criterion Hotel, The Brydone Hotel and Del Mar.
Fat Sally’s owner Kristin Murdoch said they bought Fat Sally’s 18 months ago, and it had been "a dream come true".
"We believe it is important for us to be active in our community, when I noticed that the Waitaki Souper Soup Sipper was returning, we wanted to get involved."
It was good to see the soup sipper festival return for a second year and more businesses across the district participating, Cyndi Christensen, place making lead at the Waitaki District Council, said.
"Waitaki is well-known for its high-quality, locally grown produce and I’m sure locals and visitors will enjoy sampling the new recipes on offer."
As an added bonus, this year, there were vouchers to be won if people visit five outlets or more.
"We are hoping this will encourage more people to explore the district and discover new places", she said.
Participating cafes and restaurants can be identified by an orange Waitaki Souper Soup Sticker in the window.
Taste of the Waitaki Passport
• This year the Waitaki Souper Soup Sipper is introducing the "Taste of the Waitaki" Passport. Visit participating outlets around the district enjoy and collect a stamp either on paper (see ad in the Oamaru Mail) or by an E-Passport on the Waitaki App which will be launched next week.
• If you try five or more of the many delicious soups on offer you are eligible to go into the draws for a $30 voucher donated by each of the Souper Soup Sipper participating businesses. That is a total of 21 vouchers with a total value of $630. The more you soup, the more you chances you have to win.
• Prize draw breakdown:
20 stamps — one winner of 4 vouchers, value of $120
15 stamps — one winner of 3 vouchers, value of $90
10 stamps — two winners of 2 vouchers, value of $60
5 stamps — six winners of 1 voucher, value $30
• Grab a #soupselfie and tag in Waitaki Souper Soup Sipper on facebook and let people know that you have souped. You can find out more about the soups and their stories there too. #haveyousoupedyet
