MIDDLEBORO — Soup was on the table at Middleboro Library on Saturday, Jan 7 during a program hosted by Therapy Gardens.

The program, hosted by Dave Wheeler, taught the audience how to make a variety of festive soups that included holiday-associated spices including nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.

Therapy Gardens hosts workshops, generally aimed at seniors, about cooking, gardening, and other hobbies. The small business hopes to bring people together through learning experiences.

Soup recipes that Wheeler provided included chestnut and mushroom soup, beet and apple soup with horseradish cream, Polish cold beet soup, and tomato bisque. 

Wheeler brought a large container of his tomato bisque to provide samples to the audience. He said to his audience that if they plan to save a cream-based soup like tomato bisque in the freezer, the chefs should add cream to the soup only after it is defrosted.

A world-famous quarterback sparked his interest in soups.

Wheeler began drinking bone broth to help his joints when he heard Tom Brady did the same.

“I figured if it’s good enough for Tom Brady, it’s good enough for me,” Wheeler said. “It just took off. All my friends got involved in it, we started making bone broth, and from there, I started making a lot of soups.”

Armed with a powerpoint full of recipes and photos of soups, Wheeler provided advice and anecdotes from his own experiences to encourage his audience members to try their hands at soup making.

His tip for successful soup? An immersion blender. And a pinch of culinary creativity.

While some might see soups as an introduction to the main meal, Wheeler’s roasted red and yellow pepper “duo” concoction stole the show at his Thanksgiving dinner, much to his turkey-making brother’s chagrin.

For soup recipes, tips, and information about Therapy Gardens programs, email info@therapygardens.com.