
Richard Rourke Memorial Soup Bowl Competition
Saturday, February 24 / 12-3pm, Masonic Center
One of the highlights of Winterfest, the annual Soup Bowl Competition showcases delicious soups and chowders prepared by local restaurants. This year’s soup contest has been named in honor of longtime Winterfest supporter and Lowell restauranteur, Richard Rourke. We are pleased to honor “Ricardo” for all he did to make this event a long time success.
The competition will take place on Saturday, February 24 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Masonic Center on Arcand Drive. Attendees will be voting for their favorite soups, so bring your appetite and try them all!
Tickets are $5 and are ONLY available at the door.
Participating Restaurants and Organizations:
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell
- Gormley's Cafe
- The Firewater Tavern
- Life Alive
- Cobblestones
- Purple Carrot Bakery
- Lowell Burger Company
- Fuse Bistro
- Aramark
- Sizzling Kitchen
- Eggroll Cafe
- Crepes and the City
- 110 Grill
- Lowell General Hospital Sodexo
- Chowder Factory
This year's Judges include:

Timna Nwokeji
Owner / Chief Blogger
Timna has been a food/fashion/travel blogger for four years and enjoys exploring different cities and their cuisines. Timna loves writing about the city of Lowell and the surrounding areas. There is so much to enjoy! Check out her website www.lifeasamaven.com for restaurant reviews, travel, recipes and more.

Glenn Prezzano
Merrimack Valley Magazine mvmag.net
Glenn Prezzano is the founder and publisher of Merrimack Valley Magazine, the region’s most well-respected, locally-owned periodical. For more than 11 years mvm has provided its audience with the best local journalism covering the community, arts & culture, cuisine and home.

Visal Chin
CMAA Lowell cmaa.org
Visal came to the U.S. to finish his master's degree in Public Health and is now working at CMAA to help families with disabilities to access social, educational and health services.

Bobby Tugbiyele
The Leap Network theleapnet.com
Bobby Tugbiyele is the Founder and CEO of The Leap Network, a professional services firm providing recruitment, career advisory/coaching, and business and social networking. Bobby resides in Downtown Lowell with his wife and two sons.

Marianna Wood
MRT Lowell
Marianna Wood is the Special Events Manager and Development Coordinator for Merrimack Repertory Theatre and is also a member of the Lowell Cultural Council. She can often be found entertaining at retirement homes, singing with her rockabilly band, and dressing up as a superhero for parades.