Pot O' Hot Fest!

February 26th, 2024

An abundance of excellent soups made hard work for the judges, who spent 2 hours rating soups based on Individuality, Craftsmanship, and Gusto.  6 finalists were selected, which were then scored by all 12 judges.  The top three juried soups received a prize.

A sell-out crowd of 150 soup tasters voted for their favorites using 2 voting cards issued with their ticket purchase.  A total of 300 voting cards were issued, and 235 were cast for soups.  The top 3 received a "Tasters Choice" prize.  

JURIED AWARD WINNERS:

1st Place - Kyle Bond (BBQue Texas, LLC) - Rotisserie Chicken Cheddar Jalapeno with Bacon and Garlic Croutons as a garnish

2nd Place - Scott & Stephanie Newcomer (Calypso Creole and Cajun Cuisine) - Calypso's Alluring Gumbo

3rd Place - Tracey Richard (Da Cajun Way) - MiMi’s Soupe Da-Ecrevisse

Honorable Mention (remaining finalists) - Jeff Blakeley (Pint & Plow) - Jalapeno Cheese w Pretzel Bite Dipper; Amber Brister - Roasted Cream of Poblano and Chicken w/ Cilantro Oil and Garlic Chips; Josh & Julie Raymer (Bakery JoJu) - Chickpea, Harissa, Ham Hock Pot O' Hot.

TASTERS CHOICE WINNERS:

1st Place - Tracey Richard (Da Cajun Way) - MiMi’s Soupe Da-Ecrevisse

2nd Place - Jeff Blakeley (Pint & Plow) - Jalapeno Cheese w Pretzel Bite Dipper

3rd Place - Kyle Bond (BBQue Texas, LLC) - Rotisserie Chicken Cheddar Jalapeno with Bacon and Garlic Croutons as a garnish

Honorable Mention (next three highest votes) - Kimberly Durden (FST Builders) - Roasted Corn and Poblano with Chicken and Venison Sausage; Scott & Stephanie Newcomer (Calypso Creole and Cajun Cuisine) - Calypso's Alluring Gumbo; Doug Hetzler - Mighty Mulligatawny.

Special thanks to Earthshine Studios for providing custom pottery bowls to all winners. 

PUB CRAWL PASSPORT DRAWING:

Katlyn Rosenbaum

February 24th, 2024

Online ticket purchases are now closed.  Pub Crawl tickets and a very limited number of Soup Taster tickets are available at the bar at Trailhead Beer Garden.  

February 23rd, 2024

SOUP TASTERS:

The custom soup mug and two voting tickets included with Soup Taster tickets may be picked up at Trailhead Beer Garden during business hours FRIDAY February 23rd, (3-11pm).

These may also be picked up the day of PO'H. 

Tasting window opens Saturday noon.  SOUP MAKERS SHUT DOWN 3PM, so get there early.  Spoons, oyster crackers napkins and rinsing stations provided.

PUB CRAWLERS:

The custom taster glass and passport included with Pub Crawl tickets may be picked up at Trailhead Beer Garden during business hours on FRIDAY February 23rd, (3-11pm).

These may also be picked up the day oof PO'H.

Pub Crawl starts Saturday at noon, and ENDS AT 5PM.  Make sure completed passports are submitted to Trailhead by 5pm Saturday to be entered for a prize. 

Thanks for supporting local makers!

February 21st, 2024

1. Nick Loveland - Guisado Tejano

2. Jeff Blakeley (Pint & Plow) - Jalapeno Cheese w Pretzel Bite Dipper

3. Shonna Foster (Shim's Be Blessed) - Pollo Loco Chile Verde

4. Doug Hetzler - Mighty Mulligatawny

5. Bobbi Bryant & Chantell McConaghay - Knarly Beef Barley 

6. Rose Bradshaw (So Fast Printing) - Braised Beer & Deer Right Here Soup 

7. Kyle Bond (BBQue Texas, LLC) - Rotisserie Chicken Cheddar Jalapeno with Bacon and Garlic Croutons as a garnish

8. Rhoni Shea Phoenix (Soothe Sayers Barber & Beautysmithing) - "High Noon Stew"

9. Abram Bueche (BBQue Texas, LLC) - Chicken Jalapeno Popper Soup

10. Tom Featherstone - Corn Chowder

11. Morgan Penix - Soul Posol’

12. Josh & Julie Raymer (Bakery JoJu) - Chickpea, Harissa, Ham Hock Pot O' Hot

13. James R. Hollon Sr. SFC, U.S. Army (retired) - South Texas Chicken Taco Soup

14. Chef Shonna Ebert (Dietert Center) - Dietert Trailhead Cheese Soup

15. Kayte Graham (Zanzenberg Farm) - "Mona Lisa"

16. Scott & Stephanie Newcomer (Calypso Creole and Cajun Cuisine) - Calypso's Alluring Gumbo

17. Kimberly Durden (FST Builders) - Roasted Corn and Poblano with Chicken and Venison Sausage

18. Steve Haddon - Smoked Hogshead and Bean 

19. Lee Poole (Ingram ISD) - Warrior's Rations Tomato Basil

20. Tracey Richard (Da Cajun Way) - MiMi’s Soupe Da-Ecrevisse

21. Amber Brister - Roasted Cream of Poblano and Chicken w/ Cilantro Oil and Garlic Chips

22. Beth Bryson (Central Provisions) - "I Bean…"

23. Josh Bueche - Chicken, Sausage and Crawfish Gumbo

24. Abbey Goodman - "Soup of the Night" Kielbasa Potatoes and Cabbage in a Savory Beef and Chicken Broth

25. Katie Tenery (Earthshine Studios) - Alotta Enchilada!

February 12th, 2024

We're up to the brim in Soup Makers!  All 25 positions have been claimed, list of soups and names will be published the week of February 19th.

February 5th, 2024

The all-star list of Judges has been finalized for the first ever Pot O' Fest! "A Kerrville Crafted Soup Cook-off.“  This motley crew of 12 community leaders will select the best of the best for the $500 prize purse.  The list:

Anabel Medrano (La Escondida)

Jonathan Letz (Kerr County Commissioner)

Justin McClure (JAM Broadcasting)

Bobby Templeton (Ingram ISD)

Clifton Fifer (Doyle Community Center)

Brent Burgess (Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post)

Eric Maloney (City of Kerrville Fire Chief)

Ashlea Boyle (City of Kerrville Parks)

Larry Leitha (Kerr County Sheriff)

Kiley Miller (Schreiner University)

Tim Rye (Peterson Health)

Rick Sralla (Tivy High School)