Library out to prove books as true
Next week it will be perfectly acceptable to eat in the library.
On Tuesday, the Hillsborough Public Library is holding the first annual A Taste of Chicken Soup for the Soul program. The event, which starts at 7 p.m., is intended to bring township residents together after a long winter to enjoy chicken soup from local restaurants, each from a varying ethnic background.
But don’t call or show up all the allotted spaces for an audience have been scooped up.
”Right now I have five restaurants that are participating,” said Cathy Briant, program director and head of adult services at the library. “It’s going to be a soup tasting, so people will get a half cup and be able to taste it, mingle with each other and talk to each of the restaurants.”
The participating restaurants include Taste of Crete, located at 400 Route 206; Maestro 206, at 150 Route 206; Lee’s Sushi, in Woods Tavern Plaza at 438 Route 206; Halinka Polish Deli, also located in Woods Tavern Plaza, at the intersection with Amwell Road; and Zio’s Trattoria Pizzeria, located at 381 Triangle Road.
”We do have a pretty active multi-cultural community (in Hillsborough),” Ms. Briant said. “Lee’s Sushi (represents) the Japanese community, so that’s kind of an Asian component of the program. Maestro 206 will provide a traditional American type of soup. Taste of Crete will provide a Greek soup. Halinka Polish Deli will service the (Polish/Russian) community. Zio’s there’s been a wide variety of Italian and pizzerias in Hillsborough, so I wanted to get an Italian recipe as well.”
Each batch of chicken soup will vary from restaurant to restaurant. The eateries will make the soup with ingredients homogenous to their ethnic background, and will bring enough for each of the 35 attendees to get their share. The attendees have already filled the allotted amount of guests.
”I’m going to be bringing a traditional Avego Lemono Soupa,” said Esther Pfarakis, owner of Taste of Crete. “It’s made with eggs, lemon and chicken; it’s like Greek comfort food. I thought it was a very nice idea and we’re happy to participate in it.”
The idea for this program stemmed from the popular books “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” Ms. Briant said that she wanted to incorporate those books, which help people who are going through a variety of trying times.
Different editions include “Chicken Soup for the Working Mom’s Soul,” “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories About Dieting and Fitness” and “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School.” The Web site is www.chickensoup.com.
”We’re trying to relate the program to those books, the fact that we’ve had a hard winter,” Ms. Briant said. “Soup is a comfort.”
Running out of soup will not be a problem, at least from Taste of Crete.
”I’m going to have more than enough. It’s the Greek way,” said Ms. Pfarakis.