ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The George P. Thames Senior Center in Robertsdale was cooking…with soup that is… on Friday as they held their 2nd annual Soup Contest.

With seven entries and lots of taste testing by the four judges, Sharron Ellison (Robertsdale) came out the clear winner with her flavorful Bean soup. Second place went to Barbara Landers (Robertsdale) with her Navy Bean soup, Mary Margaret Prather ( Loxley) took third with her Taco soup and Mary Ann Gould (Robertsdale) got fourth with her Chili.

Ellison also received a $25 cash prize and the others received $20, $15 and $10 for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. The other contestants and their entries were: Jean Fontaine (Silverhill), Gumbo, Loretta Johnson (Fairhope), Pork Barley Vegetable and Mabel Ritchie (Robertsdale), Manhattan Clam Chowder, and they received honorable mention gifts.

Judges for the contest were Christy Kelley of Covenant Hospice, Royce Duncan, Sandra Harvey, Council on Aging and Jewel Campbell of Jewel Campbell Real Estate. After sampling all the entries and recording their choices based on taste and originality, they made their decision.

Sarah Duncan, center director, said they had twice as many entries this year as they did last year and thought it was a good turnout.

“Last year it was cold and was soup weather but it was really warm this year. I may change it to January next year but overall, it was successful and we had a good time,” Duncan said.

In addition to the contestant entries, there were also other soups made by Duncan including 15 Bean and Ham and Cabbage Beef, Chicken Noodle and Walk thru the Kitchen (mixture of many different things) by Heidi Warner and White Chicken Chili and cornbread by Shannon Hughes, senior center worker.

Sweet tea and many desserts were available as well for the lunchtime crowd and all for only a $5 charge.

“This is one of our fundraisers for the year and we use the money for basic needs at the center. We will have lots more things coming up in the next few months,” Duncan said.

For more information on senior center activities and events, contact Duncan at (251) 947-8973.