The second annual 2025 Soup Festival brought food, music, and community together along the Frederiksted waterfront, drawing residents and visitors eager to sample some of St. Croix’s most comforting and flavorful dishes.
Local chefs and home cooks lined the festival grounds, offering a wide variety of soups ranging from traditional favorites to creative specialties. Popular stops included Omah’s Caribbean Delight, which served goat water and conch water, and Ultra Lounge, where Miguel dished out generous cups of kallaloo. Panchi’s of Gallows Bay, a longtime favorite for traditional Crucian cuisine, also attracted steady lines throughout the day.
In the Virgin Islands, soup is more than just a meal — it is comfort, tradition, and a staple found at family gatherings, roadside stops, and holiday celebrations. From kallaloo to red pea soup, these dishes carry generations of flavor and warmth, especially during the holiday season when food becomes a way to bring people together.
At the conclusion of the event, Ultra Lounge earned top honors, winning both People’s Choice and Best Kallaloo. The Landing Beach Bar received awards for Best Red Pea Soup and Best Conch Water.
While soup was the main attraction, festivalgoers enjoyed plenty of additional offerings. Over forty vendors served roasted corn, pâtés, souse, potato salad, and refreshing lemonade from booths such as Island Squeeze. 340 All In One also drew attention with its signature nachos, topped with beef, turkey, or vegan options.
Entertainment and family-friendly activities rounded out the event. The St. Patrick School Steelpan Orchestra performed on the waterfront, filling the area with lively rhythms, while children and families stopped for photos with Santa Claus and browsed booths selling sauces, cakes, and other locally made treats.
