Rotary’s 9th Annual Soup & Sip Draws Crowd to Support Kent County Public Schools Drama & Theatre Program

Chestertown, MD – Perfect autumn weather set the stage for the Chestertown Rotary Club’s 9th Annual Soup & Sip Crab Soup Competition on October 10 at the Chester River Yacht & Country Club. Community members and visitors alike gathered to sample some of the region’s finest crab soups and wines while supporting a great cause.

Guests cast their votes to determine this year’s winners. Fish Whistle earned top honors for Best Maryland Crab Soup, with Jeff Carroll accepting the award, while Flying Decoy Bar & Grille took home the award for Best Cream of Crab Soup, accepted by Chris Golder. Awards were presented by Rotary committee members Jamie Williams and Joey Ciganek.

The winning restaurants received commemorative plaques to display in their establishments. Eleven local restaurants participated in this year’s competition:

– The Kitchen at the Imperial
– Luisa’s Cucina Italiana
– Waterman’s Crab House
– Molly’s Restaurant
– Harbor Shack
– Watershed Alley
– Ford’s Seafood
– Flying Decoy Bar & Grille
– Fish Whistle
– Blue Heron
– Chester River Yacht & Country Club

This year’s fundraiser benefits the Drama & Theatre Program at Kent County Public Schools. Students and teachers from the program attended the event and shared information about the educational and creative opportunities the program provides throughout the county.

“One of the highlights of the day was hearing directly from the students and teachers whose lives are impacted by this program,” said chair and emcee Natalie Hagan. “Their passion, talent, and enthusiasm reminds us why supporting arts education matters. The food was absolutely delicious, and it’s always amazing to welcome guests who travel from out of state year after year just to attend our club’s Soup & Sip. That kind of loyalty speaks volumes about this event and our community.”

In addition to the soup competition, attendees had the opportunity to participate in two raffle drawings featuring wine, soup-themed items, and other goodies donated by Rotary members.

The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors including WCTR Radio, Tidewater Trader, Kent County News, The Chestertown Spy, Evening Enterprise, Kent County Crier, Eastman, Angelica Nurseries, The Dixon Group, People’s Bank, Upper Shore Regional Council, Eastern Shore Financial, Silcox Engineering & Design, Frank Rhodes Furniture, Heron Point, Twigs & Teacups, David A. Bramble, Jake’s Blue Truck, Chesapeake Bank & Trust, Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam, Wildly Native, Coldwell Banker, Common Interior, and Rosin Creek Collaborative.

The Chestertown Rotary Club extends its sincere thanks to the participating restaurants, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees whose support made this year’s Soup & Sip a tremendous success. Together, they helped raise funds to support the Kent County Public Schools Drama & Theatre Program and its mission to inspire creativity, confidence, and collaboration in local students.

For more information about the Chestertown Rotary Club or to learn how to become a member, contact ChestertownRotaryClub@gmail.com.

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About the Chestertown Rotary Club
The Chestertown Rotary Club is committed to service above self through local and international projects that strengthen communities, support education, and improve lives.