Canadian chef Victor Bongo is giving back to the needy

Photo: Contributed. Chef Bongo with his signature African peanut soup.

This Friday, Penticton's soup kitchen clients were treated to a signature dish from a well-known and award-winning Canadian chef. 

Victoire Bongo, the man behind Bongo Bistro, Bongo Supper Club and Bongo BBQ at wineries on the bench and in Naramata brought his signature African peanut soup to the Soupateria for lunch Friday. 

"I reached out to him about a month ago, and he was more than thrilled to participate," said Lori Lalonde, executive director. "Incredible man. I didn't know what his response would be, but he was like 'Yup, when can I be there?'"

Bongo has been honoured in Canadian and global award ceremonies for his work on fusion recipes, and has been a guest chef at top restaurants.

But more importantly, how did Friday's soup taste? 

"Oh my goodness," Lalonde gushed. "It was amazing, absolutely delicious, amazing. Our clients were just raving about it. He made so much luckily, a lot of them took it home as well!"

Lalonde said inviting Bongo is part of steps she is taking as a newly elected executive director to bring positive attention to the Soupateria in the community. 

"Sometimes the comments in our community are not always the most positive," Lalonde said. "The majority of our community are very thankful for what our soup kitchen does but there are a few who do say other things. So I just want to get some more celebrity-style people come in and work with us."

She wants to spread the word that it is people from all walks of life who use their service.

"It's seniors where their pension cheques don't last that long, and there's people that have jobs, and on their lunch break, they're coming to the soup kitchen because they can't afford to buy their own lunch," Lalonde explained.

Chef Bongo has expressed interest in coming back as a regularly-appearing cook at the Soupateria, which is very exciting to Lalonde. 

"We can't wait!"