Soup’s on at St. Vincent de Paul Veteran restaurant cook and ceramicist Mark Campbell has found his niche in the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul’s free dining facility (“Filling Empty Bowls,” May 25, 2023). His ceramics training at Humboldt State University and his years working, then volunteering for the nonprofit kitchen serving the homeless and hungry make him the perfect point person for the event that groups across the country have used to raise money to feed those in need: soup buffets with artisan bowls for sale. This year, with new partners, he’s getting ready for an even bigger soup to-do. On June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., a bevy of more than 200 handmade bowls will be up for auction while attendees feast on soups from local restaurants and eateries at the Eureka Conference Center ($25, $40 for two, $45 per family). This year, the list includes: Humboldt Bay Bistro, Bayfront Restaurant, Nou Nou’s food truck, the Greene Lily, Vista Del Mar, Szechuan Garden, Manzanilla Kitchen, Ramone’s Bakery and Café, Cap’s food truck, Restaurant 511, Big Blue Café, Blue Lake Casino, Murphy’s Market, Cal Poly Humboldt, Diver Bar & Grill and the Pub at the Creamery. “We’re gonna have about 14 soups out at a time,” says Campbell, who notes there will be a couple of chowders and at least one gumbo, but mostly the soups will be a surprise. “It’s the only event where you’re gonna have like 20 good restaurants next to each other in the same building.” The St. Vincent de Paul team will have a pot going, too. “I’m gonna make something vegan,” says Campbell. “I know there’s quite a few people who will go as long as there are some vegan options.” This year, he’ll be working with a new partner, too, as fellow volunteer May Siricharoen, who hails from Thailand and brings her experience working as a chef in Los Angeles, will be stirring the pot alongside him. Typically, the two brainstorm over the available ingredients at the dining facility on Wednesdays, “then we knock it out on Thursdays.” Campbell talks about Siricharoen’s cooking and use of flavors with open awe and says he’s excited for what she’ll come up with for Empty Bowls. Along with more hands in the kitchen, Campbell has more artist help, too. Last year some 70 bowls came from the kilns at Cal…