St. Susan Center Revives Beloved Cooking Competition as Battle of the Badges: The Ladle Showdown

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – St. Susan Center, Jamestown’s Soup Kitchen, Presents the Next Chapter of the Beloved Cooking Competition as Battle of the Badges: The Ladle Showdown, Our Community’s Favorite Soup Competition Returns with First Responding Heroes, Friendly Rivalry, and a Mission to Feed the Future

Four years ago, during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Susan Center launched So You Think You Can Cook, a community soup competition that brought people together when the community needed it most. Today, that beloved event returns with an exciting new twist. This September, St. Susan Center proudly presents Battle of the Badges: The Ladle Showdown, the next chapter of its popular, So You Think You Can Cook series competition.

The four-week culinary showdown will feature police, fire and EMS teams from across Chautauqua County while raising funds for a much-needed walk-in freezer for St. Susan Center. The competition will be held September 3, 10, 17 and conclude with a Championship Finale on September 24 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Teams will prepare a signature soup for audience tasting along with a timed mystery basket appetizer and entrée challenge. Audience members will vote for the People’s Choice Best Soup while judges score creativity, presentation, teamwork, and execution.

Proceeds from Battle of the Badges will help St. Susan Center purchase a walk-in freezer and refrigeration equipment, expanding its ability to safely store food and continue serving nutritious meals to individuals and families throughout the community.

“At St. Susan Center, we witness every day how a meal can change someone’s life,” said Cherie Rowland, Executive Director of St. Susan Center. “This event is about much more than food, it’s about relationship. Around our tables, people find friendship, dignity, compassion, and hope. Battle of the Badges celebrates those same values while honoring the first responders who dedicate their lives to serving our community.”

Melissa Paterniti, Event Coordinator, noted, “When the original event was held in 2022, I was not part of the planning team, but I was asked to step in at the last minute. I had only a few short hours to prepare a soup, and by the end of the evening I had won the People’s Best Soup award. It was an unforgettable experience that sparked my passion for this event.



Now, four years later, I’m honored to be coordinating the next chapter. I am not standing behind the stove, I’m working behind the scenes with volunteers, board members, first responders, sponsors and community partners to make this the biggest and best fundraiser for St. Susan Center. 


I’m incredibly excited by the response from our community already. Nearly every judging position has been filled, and the support we’ve received from businesses, volunteers, first responders, sponsors and community members has been overwhelming. On behalf of St. Susan Center, thank you to everyone who has stepped forward before the event has even begun.”

Melissa Paterniti, Event Coordinator, continued, “We’ve distributed more than 30 invitation packets to police, fire and EMS departments throughout Chautauqua County, and now we’re looking for those final commitments. Calling all local heroes, gather your teammate and join us this September!

My hope is that people don’t just come for the competition, they come because they believe in what St. Susan Center does every day.”

Jamestown Ward 6 Councilman Andrew Faulkner, who attended the original competition in 2022 and will serve as a judge this year, said:

“I attended the first event back in 2022 to support my friends who were competing, and I had no idea how much fun it would be.

I was excited to hear the event was returning in 2026, and even more honored when Missy asked me to serve as a judge for one of this year’s competitions.

It’s a great opportunity to cheer on members of our police, fire, and EMS departments as they enjoy some friendly competition, all while supporting the incredible work of St. Susan Center.

Events like this bring our community together, celebrate the people who serve our county every day, and help make a real difference for a great local organization.

And there is one added benefit this year, Faulkner adds, the fire department will already be there in case the cooking gets a little too hot! Anyone who attended the inaugural event in 2022 will probably remember the fire alarm trying to become part of the show. Hopefully, this year the only thing heating up is the competition!”

Get Involved Whether you are interested in volunteering, competing, becoming a sponsor or advertising in the official event program, we would love to have you join us.
To volunteer or join in on the cooking fun, please contact Bonnie Kyle at secretary@stsusancenter.org for more information and event inquiries.

Event at a Glance

Location: St. Susan Center, 31 Water Street, Jamestown, NY


Dates: September 3, 10, 17 and Championship Finale September 24


Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.


Mission: Raising funds for a new walk-in freezer and refrigeration equipment

Celebrating Chautauqua County’s police, fire and EMS professionals.

St. Susan Center has served the Jamestown community for four decades, freely offering meals, fellowship, dignity and respect to all who come through our doors, sharing tables, it grows into futures reshaped, dreams reclaimed, and a community strengthened one life at a time. For more information or to support St. Susan Center, visit stsusancenter.org.