PUHI — Susan Pittman had 14 more bowls to make when Saige McDaniel walked into Clayworks at Kilohana last Jan. 27. So, the 4-year-old helped out. Sunday, along with a steady stream of soup enthusiasts, McDaniel, visiting from Sitka, Alaska,
PUHI — Susan Pittman had 14 more bowls to make when Saige McDaniel walked into Clayworks at Kilohana last Jan. 27. So, the 4-year-old helped out.
Sunday, along with a steady stream of soup enthusiasts, McDaniel, visiting from Sitka, Alaska, came back with her family to enjoy the Roasted Tomato Fennel Bisque created by the culinary department of Gaylord’s.
What surprised her and her family was that her bowl had a place of honor above the soup — despite its less-than-conventional design.
That eliminated Saige’s dilemma of trying to select a bowl, as Pittman said this was her first bowl.
“Saige is one half of a twin,” Pittman said. “But she dove right in at the wheel and went through the whole process. Her sister, Bree, wouldn’t have any part of it.”
Jed Williams, a potter visiting from Fairbanks, Alaska with his family, said he heard about the event from a lady whose cousin lives in Alaska.
“This is almost like the Empty Bowls program up there,” said Susan Jernstrom, Williams’ sister-in-law who was with the group. “Up there, they make between 30 to 50 bowls, mugs and other items to help people.”
The Clayworks’ event started 14 years ago to help the Kaua‘i Food Bank, Pittman said.
This year, Pittman said she created 150 bowls which soup afficionadoes could have with the bisque created by the Gaylord’s staff.
That amount is the same number of bowls she made for the 2007 Souper Bowl event which Pittman said was one of the biggest turnouts.
“We ran out of soup,” she said. “There was not a single drop left.”
Dr. Becky Rhoades, director of the Kaua‘i Humane Society, was one of the returning soupers, donning the NFL shirt she had on last year.
Ron and Laura Wiley of KQNG Radio fame were also returnees, browsing through the rows of bowls for a selection which will join their collection of bowls.
“This is the first time for us,” said Gene Frohnhoefer of Long Island, N.Y. “We’ve been coming here for 18 years, and have never been here this early.”
Sheila Frohnhoefer said the event is such a good idea they may re-schedule their visits to coincide with future Souper Bowl events.
Judy Lenthall, the director for the Kaua‘i Food Bank was helping Pittman with serving the soup to the steady stream of customers that formed a line among the gallery’s offerings.
“Kelvin Moniz, the food bank’s development officer, was here earlier to help set up,” Lenthall said. “This Souper Bowl Sunday event and the food drives are the longest reigning food bank events here on Kaua‘i.”
But for Saige, all that mattered was opening the packets of crackers to enjoy with the soup in her very first bowl.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
