If you chopped onions in his kitchen, or sat in a chair at his counter, there’s no doubt that Ralf Dauns left a lasting impression on you.
A celebration of life is being held next Friday, Feb. 10. for the beloved Soup Meister of Lonsdale Quay. Dauns died in November after travelling to Montreal for cancer treatment.
From 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Pipe Shop, the public is being welcomed to pay respects to the family, and gather with former staff or other community members that would have been in line getting soup.
“It’s your opportunity to reconnect in and pay tribute to Ralf and show what an impact he had on the community,” said Stephani Baker, Dauns’s former neighbour and longtime friend.
Everyone will get a cup of soup for as long as it lasts. If you see people in the Soup Meister kitchen this weekend, that’s Baker’s kids and former staff prepping some of Dauns’s signature soup for the celebration.
Baker said they’re expecting a full house. Capacity is 360 people. Around 100 spots are reserved for friends and family. If the rest of the space gets filled, new arrivals can join if others leave.
Dauns’s stepdaughter, Renee Robertson, will share some words, followed by a slideshow that Dauns’s sister put together. A reel of photos will be running through the whole event.
“It’s more like a family reunion than a formal, speech-filled event,” Baker said.
The local business community has pitched in to help bring the event to life. Baker said that Lonsdale Quay has donated the space as well as equipment rentals; El Dorado, Shipyards Coffee and Puccini’s deli have pitched in; and some of Soup Meister’s suppliers have donated their goods to help make the soup.
Celebration of Life for Ralf Dauns
Friday, Feb. 10, 6:30-9 p.m.
The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
