As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, nothing hits the spot like a bowl of soulful soup. From creamy bisques to bold seafood broths, local chefs are crafting winter bowls that comfort, delight, and tell a story of seasonality and local ingredients. We asked five standout Wilmington eateries to share their winter soup picks—and the perfect pairings to sip alongside them.

Executive Chef Victor Martinez’s path to the kitchen was forged early, shaped by family, hard work, and an instinctive love for cooking. As a child, he spent hours helping his mother prepare banquets, drawn to the rhythm and generosity of the kitchen. That passion followed him into his first professional role as a dishwasher, where he began learning the craft from the ground up.

Debut author and sustainable home expert Cathy Mails is redefining what it truly means to live clean. Her first book, The Detox Dwelling, surged to #1 on Amazon and earned an International Impact Book Award for its clear-eyed examination of the hidden toxins in everyday household cleaners—and the simple, natural alternatives that can replace them.