STEW FEST FUNDRAISER
An annual event to support the Stew Makerspace, Grinnell’s community art and craft space.
About:
STEW FEST 2026 - February 7th, 5:30PM
GRINNELL ARTS CENTER, 926 BROAD ST
Support the Stew Makerspace at this delicious fundraiser!
Entry: $20
Community chefs will cook a variety of stews, soups, chilis, and more for you to sample! Also crackers and lemonade.
Vote for your favorite stew!
Schedule:
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Food served until 7:00 PM
Stew Chef awards shortly after 7:00 PM
Event ends 7:30 PM
All funds raised from this event go to support the Stew Makerspace.
THE STEWS:
Classic Chicken Stew
Chef Gary Mertens
A savory and spicy chicken stew!
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Mindy’s Spicy Vegan Corn Chowder
Chef Monica St. Angelo
A mildly spicy vegan chowder that conjures up the best of summer in the dead of winter.
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Not Your Yaya's Greek Stew
Chef Lisa Bacon
If I were a Yaya (I need to talk to my son) I would serve my grandchildren this soul soothing stew. It features chicken, cannellini beans, fresh veggies/herbs and is brightened with lemon juice.
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Spiced Tavern Chili
Chef Kate Baumgartner
Spiced, meaty, and fit for an adventurer!
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Rajma (Kidney Bean) Daal
Chef Kylen Turner and the Stew Monitors
Indian red lentil stew. Rich in spices and flavor! Lots of dietary fiber and plant-based protein! A good time all around!
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Coconut Curry Chicken Soup
Chef Abigail Woolfolk
This is one of my favorite soups to make for family and friends. It has lots of yummy vegetables, and the warmth from the spice makes it a perfect comfort food, especially on a cold day. The coconut milk gives it a nice creamy finish. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!
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Black-Eyed Peas with Ham
Chef Erik Simpson
Curiously, this stew is zesty but contains no zest. As its name indicates, it contains black-eyed peas and a bit of ham, along with sundry liquids and spices.
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I Love You With All My Heart Stew
Chef Lauren Siebert
A stew like a warm hug! Impossibly tender, slow-braised local beef heart—deeply savory and surprisingly delicate—mingles with parsnip, carrot, and butternut squash in a rich, umami-forward sauce. Comforting, seasonal, and soul-warming, served with homemade sourdough cottage bread for soaking up every last bite.
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Curried Sweet Potato Soup
Chef Judy Hunter
Simple: Onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, vegetable broth, curry, and coconut milk
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Winner, Winner, Chicken Pot Pie Soup Dinner
Chefs Kathy & Brian Sogard
The ultimate comfort food! A creamy soup of tender chicken and vegetables in a rich, savory broth.
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Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken and Rice
Chef Michael Hunter
Jamaican-inspired stewed chicken served with rice. Carrots, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, and spices round out the flavor.
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Iowa Stew
Chef Pamela Alger
I call this Iowa Stew as the main ingredients are pork and corn. It is similar to Pozole. The main ingredients include pork, hominy, green chilies, and cornmeal.
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Lentil-Sausage Soup
Chef Rebecca Sallee Hanson
A satisfying soup with tomatoes, lentils, and Italian sausage - fills all your comfort cravings!
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Creamy Sausage Tortellini Stew
Chefs Maggie & Mary Lindberg
Cheese filled tortellini, Italian Sausage, kale and a creamy tomato broth comprise this hearty stew which also brings a welcome hint of brightness, much like spotting the sun this time of year.
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Potato Leek Soup
Chef Jordan Esbrook
Potato leek soup!
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Five Bean Vegan Chili
Chef Mary Noer
Includes chocolate powder and red wine!
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Creamy Potato Leek Soup
Chefs Joel Ginn and Arin Kittredge
A creamy, vegan classic. Soothing, warming, and chunky for cold winter days.