A Cozy, No-Stress Way to Gather (and Go Home With Dinner Handled)

Soup is one of those foods that naturally brings people together. It’s comforting, forgiving, and meant to be shared.
We’re always looking for ways to gather that feel generous but not exhausting—and that’s exactly where a Soup Party comes in.

This isn’t a dinner party where one person does all the work. It’s a shared experience where everyone contributes, everyone connects, and everyone leaves with real food for the week ahead.

The Simple Idea

Each guest (including the host) makes one big pot of their favorite soup—at least 8 cups.

That pot is divided into 8 equal portions:

• 1 portion for tasting at the party

• 7 portions to share with the group

By the end of the night, every guest goes home with 8 different soups—a fridge and freezer full of cozy meals, ready when life gets busy.

What Guests Do Before Arriving

Ask each guest to:

• Make 8 cups of one soup

• Divide it into 8 sealed containers

• Label each container with:

  • Soup name

  • Who made it

  • Date

The Storage Solution (This Makes Hosting Easy)

To avoid fridge overload:

• Guests bring all take-home portions packed in a cooler with ice

• Coolers stay on the front porch, garage, or entryway

• Guests bring only ONE tasting portion inside

This keeps food safe and the host relaxed.

How the Tasting Works (Host-Led + Cozy)

Instead of every soup sitting out at once, the host sets the pace.

The Flow

1. The host heats the first soup

2. Everyone tastes it together

3. Guests snack, chat, and relax

4. A few minutes later, the host heats the next soup

5. Repeat until all soups are enjoyed

Think of it like a soup tasting flight—slow, intentional, and communal.

What to Serve Between Soups

Keep it easy:

• Bread or rolls

• Crackers

• A simple charcuterie board

This keeps the focus on connection, not cooking.

Soup Tasting Setup (Food-Safe + Stress-Free)

To keep things clean and comfortable:

• The host ladles soup into individual 4-oz paper tasting cups

• Guests use disposable teaspoons

• No one tastes directly from the soup pot

• Each soup is heated once

No double dipping. No awkward reminders.

What You’ll Need (Easy Grocery List)

Here’s everything the host needs to pull this off smoothly:

Serving + Safety

• ☐ 70–80 4-oz paper soufflé cups

• ☐ 70–80 disposable teaspoons (compostable if possible)

• ☐ 1 ladle per soup/ or rinse between uses.

• ☐ Slow cooker, microwave, warming crock, or stovetop access

• ☐ 8 small microwaveable bowls.

Storage

• ☐ Large coolers or insulated totes

• ☐ Ice packs or bagged ice

• ☐ Extra labels or painter’s tape + marker

Snacks + Extras

• ☐ Bread, rolls, or crackers

• ☐ Simple charcuterie items (optional)

• ☐ Napkins

• ☐ Water, tea, or a simple drink

That’s it. No specialty tools. No complicated prep.

Why Soup Parties Work

• No one cooks everything

• No one feels overwhelmed

• Food doesn’t go to waste

• Everyone leaves cared for

• Soup can be made the day before

It’s practical, generous, and deeply human—the kind of gathering that feels good long after the bowls are washed and perfect for the winter blues!