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By Charlotte Hopkins

Dave Rankin, Amy Rankin, Jesse Barnhart, Kerri Bolick, Jamie Barnhart, and Jenn Brooks enjoy a variety of homemade soups while connecting at the Slurp n' Burp held on National Soup Swap Day.

Kevin Kurtz and Margaret Kline savor a variety of delicious homemade soups during the National Soup Swap Day celebration.

Christine O’Donnel and Erin Bock share smiles and conversation while serving up warm bowls of soup.

On January 18, a warm and welcoming celebration took place in honor of ‘National Soup Swap Day.’ Jessica Tapia and her husband, Fernando, hosted a delightful Soup Party in West Elizabeth, titled, “Slurp n’ Burp” that brought friends, neighbors, and families together to enjoy a cozy evening filled with laughter, connection, and, of course, delicious homemade soups. The event featured a long and diverse lineup of soups, including: Beef Stew, Chicken Soup, Cowboy Stew, Tomato Basil, Loaded Baked Potato, Butternut Squash, Lasagna Soup, Chicken Gnocchi, Creamy Sausage Tortellini, Chili Verde Chicken Cheesy Soup, Stuffed Pepper Soup, Pasta Fagioli, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup, Wedding Soup, Chicken Tortellini Soup, Cilantro Rice Soup.

Jessica stated, “Every soup maker got a set of ceramic Asian spoons as a thanks for their hard work.” Each person who participated in Slurp n’ Burp received a ceramic spoon as a gift. Guests had the opportunity to sample each soup and cast their votes for their favorite soup in these categories.

• Crowd Pleaser                                                                                    
• Most Creative Flavor
• Heartiest
• People’s Choice
• Best Presentation

In addition to the soups, attendees enjoyed a variety of cookies, cheese, fruit, crackers, breads, and charcuterie cups brimming with tasty treats. The abundance of delicious options created a festive and inviting atmosphere.

The Slurp n’ Burp wasn’t just about food—it was about fostering a sense of togetherness. A heartfelt effort to rebuild a sense of community that Jessica believes was strained during the pandemic.

"Look around the room," Jessica said with a smile. "No one is arguing, no one is upset." She expressed her joy in seeing people gather for a simple evening of sharing food and forming connections without any agenda. Her vision for the event was clear: to create a space where people could come together, enjoy good food, and celebrate being part of a community. With her husband Fernando’s help, Jessica worked tirelessly to organize the event, which she hopes will become an annual tradition.

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