Nathan's Announces the Winner for the "Warm Up Rochester" Soup Contest

Rochester, NY - After the difficult task of picking the "best" soup recipe out of over 150 entries, Nathan's Soup and Salad restaurant has picked a winner. The Chipotle and Sweet Potato Chowder recipe sent in by Dan McNelly of Pittsford took first place. Nathan's ran a "Warm Up Rochester" soup contest from September 21 through October 31. The contest rules required that the recipe be original, a soup that Nathan's didn't already offer, reasonably economical to make, and one that used fresh ingredients. Rick Torcello, owner of Nathan's, was thrilled with the response from the public. "I really wanted this to be a Rochester thing, where people could enter a favorite family recipe... have their own special soup on our menu."

According to Torcello there were so many good recipes that it was hard to pick a winner. Some were a little too similar to soups that Nathan's already served, and a few were a bit involved. "But I can see why these were 'family favorites'" observed Torcello, "they all sounded delicious." Nathan's selected the winner by whittling down the choices to five soups, which were made and taste-tested by a panel of seasoned soup connoisseurs (Nathan's own employees). The Chipotle and Sweet Potato Chowder caught their attention. "It has a lot going on but somehow it all comes together in this delicious chowder," according to the panel. Dan McNelly is recently retired, loves to cook, and especially loves to bake. He's also a hot sauce collector, which may explain the "chipotle" ingredient in his recipe. He won $100 in Nathan's gift certificates, and will have his soup on the Nathan's menu.

Nathan's will offer the Chipotle and Sweet Potato Chowder every Monday, beginning November 30, 2009. The contest was so successful that Nathan's is considering running it again next year.

Nathan's Soup and Salad on Park Avenue has been serving home-style soups, salads and breads to Rochestarians since 1980. In August 2007 Rick Torcello purchased Nathan's Soup and Salad and has committed to keep the same standard of excellence as it was built upon years ago.