A Creamy Tomato Soup With a Side of Queer Community

Hi everyone!

I hope you had a great Pride weekend! 🏳️‍🌈 Here in NYC it was a sweaty affair, a little prelude to the coming heat wave.

Today, I’m really excited to help spread the word about a project coming soon from a much-loved queer organization that has been hosting events and building community in cities across the US for over 10 years. Queer Soup Night has founded by Liz Alpern in NY as an opportunity for lgbtqia+ folks to gather, socialize, and raise money for community led queer organizations.

Oh and did I mention there’s soup?? At each event, there are between two to four chefs who make massive pots of soup. Folks are encouraged to enjoy the soups with their newly made friends. QSN has always operated on a pay-what-you-can model and chefs often donate their time to ensure the biggest donation possible can be made towards the evening’s beneficiary.

I’ve been a a QSN chef twice. The first time was in Oakland CA several years ago and then last year I made soup for one of the Brooklyn events at my neighborhood bar, C’Mon Everybody. Both times were a blast and taught me so much - not just about making soup for 200+ people but also about my community and how many gestures of care and camaraderie can fill a room. Here are a few photos and be on the lookout for my creamy tomato soup recipe at the end of this post!

In a world that’s become increasingly digital, I’ve always appreciated QSN’s focus on getting people to gather in person over nourishment and shared stories. I’ve seen many friendships and relationships develop over these soup-fueled soirees. I was thrilled to learn recently that soon everyone will get the chance to recreate a bit of this magic at home or in their own communities.

The Queer Soup Night Cookbook was recently announced and is scheduled to be published in January 2027 by Combos Press . It will feature 50+ recipes from some of the many chefs who have cooked for QSN over the years. I had the chance to speak with Clare from Combos Press about the process of creating this book. See my interview with Clare below!

It feels like over the last few years independent publishers are experiencing a surge in attention and popularity. I was wondering if you have thoughts on why this is happening and what role you see independent publishers playing in the larger industry?

I think I speak for the whole team when I say that we feel incredibly liberated to be going indie with Queer Soup Night: The Cookbook instead of publishing through a traditional press. We are able to take things at our own pace (which has actually put us on a much faster timeline than most publishers typically work on), and can play around with the book format a bit more, which will really let the photography, recipes, and essays shine. Since this book is so special to us, it was important that everyone have a say in the look and feel and to have full creative and editorial control, which is sometimes impossible with a big name publisher.

To zoom out, I think indie presses are experiencing popularity right now as a reaction to our deeply oppressive government, at least here in the US. Most small presses are not in the business of censorship or propping up capitalism, and I think that appeals to people who feel discouraged by the current state of things.

Queer Soup Night events have been held in so many cities over the last ten years. Beyond sharing recipes, how will the QSN cookbook help recreate the magic of these events for people who’ve never attended?

While recipes do make up a good portion of this cookbook, there will also be robust how-to sections that I think folks will find extremely useful and inspiring. Liz Alpern, QSN’s creator, wrote about how to host your own Queer Soup Night, so our hope is that readers will take what they’ve learned from the cookbook about scaling up recipes to feed a crowd, getting the word out, and what it means to be in community to throw their own soup parties. You can create the magic of Queer Soup Night anywhere you are, and I think the cookbook will really break down and demystify that process.

With 50 recipes contributed by so many chefs and home cooks I’m sure it’s hard to pick a favorite but is there a recipe from the book that you’re really excited for the rest of the world to taste?

Since multiple people have tested each recipe and provided feedback, we actually have some pretty good data on what folks are loving so far. There’s this super fun Medieval Aphrodisiac Soup that you’ll have to read the book to find out more about, and the Miso Sinigang has also been an early favorite.

The work on this book is ongoing, how can folks support the creation and printing of this book beyond pride month and up to the publication date? (January 2027)

Preorders help us a ton! Transparently, we need the cashflow and enthusiasm for the project to carry us through all of our upcoming milestones: holding a photo shoot with photographer Jessie YuChen, sending the book to print, and scheming up an insanely fun slate of launch events. Word of mouth helps as well: if you have a slurper in your life, let them know about Queer Soup Night: The Cookbook.

You may not think of soup in July but this soup is great served at room temperature or even cold. It can also be used as a dip for crusty bread or pita chips. It’s very easy to throw together and very pantry friendly. This and a grilled cheese? Say no more.