An employee of The Egg at Davidson served during last year's Davidson Housing Coalition Souper Bowl fund-raiser. (Bill Jin photo)

The Souper Bowl, a soup cook-off among local chefs that raises money for affordable housing – has become a tradition on Super Bowl weekend in Davidson. This year’s competition is Saturday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Davidson College’s Chambers building, Lilly Family Gallery. The lunch includes food, live music and a silent art auction.

The annual event is a benefit for Davidson Housing Coalition, which helps create and preserve affordable housing and prepare people for financial stability and home ownership.

This year’s contestants are: Armin’s Catering at Beaver Dam, Brickhouse Tavern, Campania Café, Flatiron Kitchen +Taphouse, Jeffrey’s at the Lake, La Patisserie, Restaurant X, Sabi, and Toast. Dessert this year will be supplied by Bird & Bear Cookie Co, Davidson Chocolate Co., and Sweet Cakes Bakery.

Diners are the judges for the day, offering their opinions on the best soups in the area. There’s also live entertainment, provided by Rusty Knox, Sands of Tyme, and Davidson College acapella groups. Local artists have donated pieces for a silent art auction.

The event is sponsored by Metrolina Greenhouses, Cashion’s Quik Stop, The Stewart Group, Carolina Premier Bank Home Mortgage, and The Law Firm of Bentz & Associates, P.A.

This year’s Souper Bowl also is affiliated with the Charlotte area’s “Souper Bowl of Caring,” a national in which young people work to fight hunger in their communities. Students from Community School of Davidson are working with the Davidson Housing Coalition to collect donations of canned food for the Loaves & Fishes Pantry at Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson.

Tickets: 704-892-4486. Read about last year’s event – Feb. 9, 2011, “Flatiron’s new chef, best soups in town, Saturday market”