Friday, November 13, 2026
Executive Chef Corey Hepburn from Hilton Marco Island Resort and Spa.
Executive Sous Chef Alexander Murphy at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.
Chef Joe Gargano from The Italian Market and Deli.
Tony Newton, Manager of the Sandbar.
The savory creations of 10 Marco restaurants will be dished up for Souper Bowl 2024, the annual fundraiser for the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce and its Leadership Marco Scholarship Fund, which benefits the island’s graduating seniors who are moving on to higher education.
Mackle Park will be the setting for the Feb. 10 community event, which is marking its tenth year. From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Mackle Park, attendees can purchase one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls, hand-crafted and painted by Marco Island school children and community members. The bowls can then be filled with the sumptuous soups prepared and donated by the eateries, which will be joined, for the first time, by a community group, the Al’s Pals Mobile Food Pantry.
This year’s participants include:
Quinn’s at JW Marriott, CJ’s on the Bay, The Italian Deli and Market, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa, Deep Lagoon, Pinchers, Mango’s Dockside Bistro, The Sand Bar, and Island Country Club.
Here is a glimpse of Souper Bowl 2024 soup selections, restaurant info, and their inspiration to participate from five restaurants.
Corey Hepburn, Executive Chef, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa
When did your restaurant open and how long has it been on Marco Island? The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa opened in 1985.
How would you describe your restaurant? An open-air, upscale, casual restaurant with breathtaking sunset views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Why do you take part in the Souper Bowl? I’ve been representing the Hilton at the Souper Bowl since 2017. We proudly participate in this benefit because it rewards the deserving youth of our community with the ability to pursue higher education.
Why are such events important for the community? I believe it keeps local businesses connected to the community, helping to improve and make it a better place to live.
What soup will you prepare? Blue Crab Bisque with Brown Butter Apple Compote, and walnut oil.
Can you provide any information on the soup’s ingredients? Florida Blue Crab, Celery Root, Brandy, Granny Smith Apples and walnut oil.
What makes your restaurant stand out? Our location - a gulf-front restaurant with spectacular sunsets.
What are some of your favorite dishes on your menu? Caxambas Cioppino. This has been a staple on our menus (Coconut Milk and Key Lime Seafood Bouillabaisse).
What are your hours and days of operation? 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
When did your restaurant open and how long has it been on Marco Island? CJ’s on the Bay opened in 2008 under the ownership of Curt and Jacquie Koon. Upon their retirement in November of 2022, CJ’s is currently owned by Phelan Family Brands.
How would you describe your restaurant? CJ’s on the Bay is a hidden gem on Marco Island. Situated on picturesque Smokehouse Bay in the Esplanade, CJ’s offers waterfront dining in a fun, friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Accessible by land or by water, CJ’s is the premier Marco Island location for tropical vibes and bay breezes.
Why do you take part in the Souper Bowl? CJ’s is a longtime supporter of the Marco Island community. Helping to raise funds for scholarships for local students is an honor.
Why are such events important for the community? It is important to remember that although we are a destination for many visitors, we have a growing community of working families that enjoy living on Marco Island. Helping them continue their children’s education is a great thing.
What soup will you prepare? CJ’s Stuffed Pepper Soup.
Can you provide any information on the soup’s ingredients? A hearty soup chock full of ground beef, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and rice.
What makes your restaurant stand out? CJ’s has stunning waterfront views, great food, and friendly service.
What are some of your favorite dishes on your menu? Key West Pink Shrimp, local Stone Crab, Blue Cheese Chips, Calamari, and Prime Rib.
What are your hours and days of operation? 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Sunday.
When did your restaurant open, and how long has it been on Marco Island? The Italian Deli and Market has been operating on the island since 1997. We have been at our new location, at 902 Park Ave., since September 2021.
How would you describe your restaurant? A casual pizzeria, Italian Restaurant and Deli with your favorite Italian foods available for dine-in or carry-out, and a full bar.
Why do you take part in the Souper Bowl? We love our island and it is a pleasure to support our community through the Souper Bowl and many other events throughout the year.
Why are such events important for the community? Marco Island is a special place to live, work and visit. We want Marco Island's next generation to love our island as much as we do!
What soup will you prepare? Italian Stracciatella Soup
Can you provide any information on the soup’s ingredients? Eggs, pasta, cheese, vegetables and more.
What makes your restaurant stand out? We offer a casual and fun atmosphere, with top quality food for lunch and dinner, with live music in the evenings.
What are some of your favorite dishes on your menu? Our three pizza varieties: NY-style thin crust, deep-dish Sicilian-style, and Neapolitan-style, will always keep you coming back for more! Our Italian sandwich on Ciabatta, Penne ala Vodka, and Fire Roasted Wings are longtime customer favorites!
What are your hours and days of operation: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday.
Why do you take part in the Souper Bowl? This event has been a long-standing tradition in the community and for the JW Marriott Marco Island. While the hotel has participated for many years, I had the chance to represent our talented culinary team last year in a record return of the event.
Why are such events important for the community? 2023 was an epic year for JW Marriott’s Culinary team in its new initiatives to support our local communities in Collier County. We are constantly looking for ways to get involved and this is a highlight for fellow chefs of the island to come together and really do something special. This event benefits educational scholarships while showing off artistic and culinary talents.
What soup will you prepare? This year we will be serving our Spicy Crab and Corn Chowder, newly added to our 2024 “Dockside” catering menu that highlights Southwest Florida and coastal ingredients.
Can you provide information on the soup’s ingredients? While we use a rich shellfish stock as our base, the real star of the show is the fresh thyme and cilantro hand-picked from our newly established JW Garden that sits out front of Ario, our signature Dry Aged Steak and Seafood Restaurant.
What makes your restaurant stand out? The JW Marriott Marco Island has many restaurants with a variety of cuisines, including authentic delicacies in Polynesian, Mediterranean, local Gulf and Caribbean, Italian and more. Whatever you’re craving, you can find it at the resort.
What are some of your favorite dishes on your menu? Originally from the Carolinas, I really enjoy our “Route 41 BBQ” menu, incorporated into our 2024 Catering Menu. This menu brings authentic smoking and grilling techniques to Southwest Florida while using local ingredients, such as mango, in BBQ sauce and traditional Jerk marinades from the Caribbean.
What are your restaurants hours and days of operation? Please visit our “Paradise Planner” at https://jwmarcoparadiseplanner.com to review all of our restaurants’ hours of operation.
When did your restaurant open, and how long has it been on Marco Island? Sandbar has been a staple on Marco Island for close to 40 years.
How would you describe your restaurant? We are a family-owned establishment that offers all sports packages, fresh seafood from local waters and some of the best bar food around. We are constantly making changes to our menu to better serve our customers and keep things fresh and interesting. From day boat grouper to stone crab claws to all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crabs and specials on Sundays and Mondays.
Why do you take part in the Souper Bowl? We chose to participate in Souper Bowls because of the community and how much we appreciate their supporting our establishment over the last 40 years. And it’s for a great cause.
Why are such events important for the community? Marco Island is a special place to live, work and visit. We want Marco Island's next generation to love our island as much as we do!
What soup will you prepare? Sandbar will be preparing a Turkey lasagna soup. It has been a tradition in our family for many years and now we want to share it with everyone as a fresh and healthy alternative to better living.
What makes your restaurant stand out? Our new menu just came out last week and is featuring new items such as Wisconsin cheese curds to gluten-free giant pretzels, soft shell crabs, fried oyster and grouper baskets with onion rings, hush puppies and French fries, as well as a 12oz New York Strip Steak and jalapeno crusted Grouper. There is something for everyone on this menu and the Sandbar is truly grateful to be a part of this event and this community. Nightly entertainment still goes on, Tuesday-Saturday, all year round. Thank you again for allowing us to be part of this, and hopefully we will see everyone at the world-famous Sandbar.
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