all souped up The quickest way to warm the cockles is with a bowl of steaming broth. And we’ve tracked down four of Bendigo’s best... Slurp away! lovely laksa Family man, ResCom property salesperson and business owner Phillip Walter is known more for his love of suits than soup. In fact for years Phillip has been otherwise known as ‘Suitman’, as he has had the privilege of suiting up countless local grooms as owner of Walter’s Fashions. Phillip is a busy man, but come winter, he always makes time for a warming lunch. What is your favourite soup on the Bendigo Fresh Food Bazaar winter menu and why? Laksa...but they are all great and very different. Full flavoured and true to the cultures they come from without being overpowering and there is always bread or a papadum to go with them. Comfort on a cold day. What’s the best way to tackle your soup? Try to never slurp! (Lost cause.) Consumption is a combination of drink then eat. I never share as it’s all too good, but I have been known to buy a bowl of soup for someone else. What else do you love about winter in Bendigo? I have always loved the cold. We are lucky here in Bendigo to enjoy a dryer cold than Melbourne or Ballarat. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a raging open fire with either a cold drink or hot soup.
Photographer: Anthony Webster
If chicken soup is for the soul, what is Laksa for?
minestrone maestro As an employee of the Bendigo Bank, Kirrily Sandiford doesn’t have to go far to get her winter warming fix... Just across the road from the office is her fave lunch spot, Bath Lane Cafe. But it’s not all work and lunch for this proud local. On the weekends, Kirrily loves supporting and being at South Bendigo Football and Netball Club, walking and catching up with friends. What is your favourite soup on the Bath Lane Cafe winter menu and why? Photographer: Anthony Webster
I love all the yummy soups, but Minestrone is my favourite. If chicken soup is for the soul, what is Minestrone for? For keeping me going for the rest of my working day. What’s the best way to tackle your soup? I eat it, drink it, but never share it! What else do you love about winter in Bendigo? I love the fashion in winter, the football and sitting at Bath Lane Cafe having a nice bowl of soup... yummy!
bravo brodo Carl is an electrician who employs six people in the local area. He works from home but The Subtle Eye has become somewhat of an office for him. Most mornings he can be found in there, tucked down the back corner, working away while enjoying a latte and a cranberry juice, but he will also often pop in for lunch or afternoon tea with his daughter. What is your favourite soup on the Subtle Eye winter menu and why? My favourite is the tortellini in brodo with chicken meatball and vegetables. I love the strong flavour of the chicken. In the depth of winter this soup would ward off any illness! It’s just full of good stuff. If chicken soup is for the soul, what is tortellini in brodo for? This soup is definitely for the spirit. I usually use a spoon to slurp up all the brodo broth first. The soup is always served with a delicious bread, so I always dunk this in. Then comes the vegetables, and I always save the chicken meatballs for last because they are the best! What else do you love about winter in Bendigo? I love walking through Rosalind Park in winter, seeing the street lights come on as it is just getting dark through the fog. I love the smell of the leaves laying in the gutter – it brings back memories of my childhood growing up in Bridge Street. I also love heading to the footy at the QEO in winter. 60
Photographer: David Field
What’s the best way to tackle your soup?