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I’m sure most would agree, there’s a special place in heaven reserved for a damn good soup on a cold Adelaide winter’s night.
A bowl of chicken noodle soup can hit the spot so perfectly at times it should be studied, whilst something like a humble tomato soup with fresh sourdough and a generous swipe of butter holds a permanent place in so many hearts.
But do you know what’s even better than a good soup and fresh bread in winter? Soup and bread in winter made by a renowned culinary icon.
And do you know what’s even better than that? A soup made by a renowned culinary icon, with 100% of proceeds going to charity.
In 2026, East End Cellars is bringing back its beloved Soup Kitchen for its eighth year. The initiative sees some of Adelaide’s best chefs step into the kitchen every Thursday, cooking up soups for guests, either dine-in or takeaway, with all proceeds going towards Catherine House and the Hutt St Centre, two of Adelaide’s most impactful homelessness services.
Margie Andrewartha, co-owner of East End Cellars, says the event is all about giving back in a meaningful and delicious way.
“Hutt St Centre and Catherine House are two amazing organisations which work so hard to assist people experiencing homelessness in Adelaide,” says Margie.
“When I first started it, my daughter and I were driving to the ballet at the Festival Theatre and I saw a lineup of all these people at an actual soup kitchen. So many of them were women and children, and I just said, ‘Jesus, what’s going on there?’”
“I rang Simon Bryant the next day and said, ‘Should we just make a lot of soup and go and feed these people?’”
“Simon Bryant helped me with the whole concept in the beginning, but that’s how it started.”
“We have a lot of the city’s finest chefs donating their time and talent to this important cause, and we hope a lot of the city’s community comes to the East End in support of our initiative.”
“It just brings a bit of light to the room, especially with the year that we’re having, so it means a lot.”
Whilst 2025 saw the likes of Duncan Welgemoed of Africola, Justin James of Restaurant Aptos, Sharon Romeo and David Swain of Fino Vino, Kane Pollard of Ondeen, and Joshua Cooke of Chianti heading up the line-up, 2026 is shaping up to be just as epic.
Here’s who they’ve announced so far:
- Alexis Besseau (La Lousiane) – 6th August
- Karena Armstrong (The Salopian Inn) – 13th August
- Kane Pollard (Place Dining, Topiary) – 20th August
But keep your eyes peeled as more chefs are announced. Plus, with a new iconic venue joining the initiative this time around, there’ll be even more love to go around.
“We’re doing five weeks at East End Cellars, and then we’re doing four weeks at Station Road this year for the first time, so we’re doubling it and spreading it across our venues… It’s just a wonderful initiative. It’s really easy for people to be involved. All they have to do is come and buy a soup” shares Margie.
“There’s always the guest chef soup, then there’s my pea and ham, and there’s always a vegetarian soup that East End Cellars prepares each week.”
“There’s a lot of competition between the chefs over who sells the most soups, so that’s always a good thing,” Margie laughs.
Soup Kitchen is truly a win for everyone involved. You get a soup, and a bloody good one at that. They get much-needed funding to support the numerous South Aussies who aren’t as fortunate.
But perhaps the most important part is starting the conversation, a conversation that’s more important than ever. As the Hutt St Centre reported, homelessness in South Australia has reached a crisis point in 2026, with more than 7,000 people experiencing homelessness every night.
So, tell your friends, tell your neighbours, bring the whole crew, and spread the word. Thursdays at East End Cellars, get yourself a meal that will truly warm you from the inside out. (Starting Thursday 25 June, bookings highly recommended.)
“Get a table together of your mates at work and rather than sitting at your desk, come and have a soup for an hour, then feel good and back you go.”
East End Cellars Soup Kitchen
Where: 25 Vardon Ave, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Weekly from Thursday 25th June (for 5 weeks only), from 12 pm
For more information,click here.
