Media Contact:
Jennifer Ferreira
(276) 619-4348
November 11, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi to be Celebrity Guest at 3rd Great Winter Soup Cook Off at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on February 20, 2016
ABINGDON, Va.–The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center is pleased to welcome Larry Thomas, the actor who portrayed the infamous Soup Nazi in the Seinfeld series. Thomas will be a celebrity guest for the 3rd annual Great Winter Soup Cook Off on February 20, 2016. His “No Soup For You!” bark became one of the most famous catchphrases of all times and earned him an Emmy nomination and a permanent place in pop culture. Thomas’s role in one of the most memorable episodes in the series became an overnight success. This all-time favorite spotlighted The Soup Nazi and the long lines of customers at his restaurant. In order to get to try his addicting soups, patrons had to play by his strict rules or he would yell out “No Soup for You” and throw them out of the store.
The Seinfeld series continues to grow in popularity and has added a new generation to its list of followers. The popular reruns are available on cable as well as Hulu and are now watched internationally. Jason Alexander, who played the character George on the Seinfeld series once said, “Larry Thomas was a highlight in what became an amazing tradition on our show—the appearance of the unforgettable guest star.” Thomas has continued his acting career and has been a featured celebrity guest at events throughout the world.
Most recently, Thomas has written a book about his life as an actor which includes his favorite recipes. In his book, Confessions of a Soup Nazi, An Adventure in Acting and Cooking he shares the soup recipes that made him famous and talks about the steps in his acting career which led him to being part of the Seinfeld series.
Thomas is also a partner of The Original Soup Man Soups—a line of soups based on those used by his character in the series. These are currently being introduced to supermarkets throughout the country.
Thomas will be available on Saturday, February 20, 2016 to meet and sign autographs from 11 am-3 pm. Signed copies of his book as well as signed soup ladles and t-shirts will be available for purchase during the cook off.
In addition to the cook-off appearance, Thomas will also participate in a meet and greet reception and soup supper on Friday, February 19, 2016. During the Cooking with the Soup Nazi event Larry will speak about his cooking and his acting career. Supper will feature his Soup Nazi recipes which will be prepared by two area chefs. Guests will receive a signed cookbook. A limited number of seats are available.
The Great Winter Soup Cook Off is a soul-warming community event which features area chefs, culinary experts, organizations and youth who compete in professional, amateur and youth categories. This fundraiser will not only showcase our local culinary community, but will benefit the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center’s educational programs. These programs play a vital role in our community by exposing residents to new and exciting learning experiences that help enhance quality of life.
Registration for Cooking with Soup Nazi Meet and Greet Reception/ Supper and tickets to the 3rd Annual Great Winter Soup Cook Off will be available online www.swcenter.edu/cooking beginning November 20, 2015. Sponsorships are available on several levels. 276 619-4301 for more information.
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MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center is to strengthen the regional economy of southwest Virginia by providing higher education and professional development training of the current and future workforce.