Scenes from the Lowcountry Soup Challenge

I was lucky enough to be a judge at the Lowcountry Soup Challenge yesterday to benefit Volunteers in Medicine. We went through 22 soups -- never thought it'd be possible to get stuffed on soup.

But it produced quite a few memorable selections, such as the black bean soup (pictured to the right) that won second place for Celebrations catering.

Here are some of the best we tasted.

Hugo's won big. Their local crab and asparagus cappuccino with hazelnut broth won both the judge's vote and the people's choice.

Kenny B's always goes all out in their presentation. This is their "Uncle Willy's Soup-er Bowl in New Orleans Stew with Dixie beer cheese brats topped with Soup-er Dome boudin nachos." (Third place winner)

Lowcountry Boil Chowder from Frankie Bones

Casey's green pepper soup.