A crowd of 300 filled the Athletic Center at Valley Catholic High School last Saturday night for the Sixth Annual Soup’s On, a charitable event co-sponsored by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and the City of Beaverton. A select group of restaurants and community organizations took the opportunity to showcase their soups while competing for a Critic’s Choice Award and the popular vote.

For the second year in a row, Thai Bloom walked away with the Judge’s Choice Award. The Chicken Tom Cha proved irresistible to the distinguished panel of judges which included: Wayne Garcia, news anchor for KPTV FOX12; Jenny Hansson, news anchor for KOIN6; Mark Katches, editor of The Oregonian/OregonLive; Ed Langlois, managing editor of the Catholic Sentinel; Rhonda Shelby, morning meteorologist for KATU; Matt Singledecker, sports editor of the Beaverton Valley Times; Joe Smith, former business reporter for KGW-TV; and K.L. Wombacher, executive vice president and general manager of the Hillsboro Hops.

Thai Bloom was also honored with the Bronze Ladle Award which reflects the soup’s popular appeal among the evening’s guests.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Sunshine Pantry, a family-run non-profit food pantry. For more than 25 years, the Sunshine Pantry has provided food, amenities, housewares and clothing to those who struggle in Washington County, in other areas of Oregon, and in southwest Washington.

“Thai Bloom has been a partner in the Soup’s On event for the past four years,” said Jonathan Lapham. “We’re happy to do our part to help the Sunshine Pantry serve those in need. We look forward to returning next year and hope that our soup continues to be well-received.”