JACKSON, Mich.–American 1 Credit Union hosted Soup Wars at the Jackson County Fairgrounds here, where nearly 600 people passed through the American 1 Event Center tasting 15 different soups from 12 local restaurants.
The 2017 event marked the fourth year of Soup Wars, which was created to raise awareness of hunger issues in Jackson County.
Serving as a fundraiser for the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, this year’s event raised $4,000 for the charity. Admission for adults was $5, children 5-12 were $3, and children 4 and under were free. The first 50 people also received a free soup bowl, donated by Make It Yours! and hand-painted by Northwest Elementary students. Visitors received a punch card that allowed them to sample two ounces of every soup. Judging was determined by three judges who sampled the soups and by visitors that made donations to vote for their favorite soup.
The restaurant that took home the award for 2017 Soup Wars Champion was Oak Tree Lounge, with their Macaroni & Cheeseburger soup.